What is an ophthalmologist?

Ophthalmologists are medically trained doctors who care for patients who have eye conditions. They manage those with acute and long term eye disease and treat patients of all ages.

What do ophthalmologists do?

An ophthalmologist is a doctor who specialises in the branch of medicine dealing with the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of diseases of the eye and visual system. An ophthalmologist is medically trained, and commonly acts as both physician and surgeon examining, diagnosing and treating diseases and injuries in and around the eye.

What do you get from this role?

A career in ophthalmology gives you the chance to help people make the most of their vision as you diagnose and treat eye disease. You will work closely with doctors in other specialities and members of the ophthalmology team such as ophthalmic nurses.

With a surge in exciting new technology and treatments in recent years, ophthalmologists can manage patients with ocular diseases in a much more effective way, and this trend is likely to continue.

What do you need to apply?

Entry requirements for degree courses vary because each university sets its own entry criteria, but you are likely to need at least three A-levels, Highers, or equivalent qualifications at Level 3, plus supporting GCSEs including English, maths, and a science (usually biology or human biology).

Courses often specify preferred or essential A level, Higher, or equivalent subjects, such as biology and chemistry, with some schools preferring a third related science subject. It is important to check individual requirements with each university.

Find out more vis UCAS 

What skills do you need?

An ophthalmologist needs to combine great people skills with a high level of knowledge and technical skills.

They need the ability to communicate effectively and empathically with patients – eye problems can cause a considerable degree of anxiety. excellent manual dexterity, good hand-eye co-ordination and good vision, along with excellent organisational and time management skills.

Good problem-solving and decision-making skills, the ability to work well within multidisciplinary teams and a willingness to work with constantly changing technologies are also all key skills for an ophthalmologist.

What does your working day look like?

It is Monday afternoon and you are about to perform cataract surgery on Mrs B’s right eye. She has very dense cataracts reducing her vision to only counting fingers (in each eye). She had been struggling to look after her grandchildren during the day when her children were at work, and could hardly see to watch television. Although she managed to get around at home, she was scared to go out on her own. Surgery is straightforward and Mrs B goes home a short while later. The following morning your secretary gets a phone call from Mrs B’s daughter who wants to speak to you urgently. She tells you that her mother is overjoyed, and is in floods of tears because she is so happy as she can now see her grandchildren clearly for the first time in a number of years. All the family wish to thank you for restoring her sight. For you, there is a real sense of purpose and achievement.

Find out more about the working life on an ophthalmologist and read a first-hand account from ophthalmologist Kavita.

How do you train to become an ophthalmologist?

To become an ophthalmologist, you need to first study medicine at university, and complete your foundation years. Following this, doctors apply for specialist training; in ophthalmology this normally lasts seven years, is competence based and leads to a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT). Find out more here from The Royal College of Ophthalmologists.

Find out more with NHS medical careers