Occupation

Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric

Human Advantage 82%

Strongly human-essential role

AI Automation Risk Low Risk
2 / 10

This occupation requires complex human judgment, social interaction, and creative problem-solving that are difficult to automate.

Diagnose and perform surgery to treat and help prevent disorders and diseases of the eye. May also provide vision services for treatment including glasses and contacts.

Also Known As: Clinical Ophthalmologist, Cornea Specialist, Cornea and External Disease Physician, Glaucoma Specialist, Medical Doctor (MD), Neuro-Ophthalmologist, Oculoplastic Specialist, Ophthalmic Surgeon +8 more

Video

Core Tasks

  1. Perform comprehensive examinations of the visual system to determine the nature or extent of ocular disorders.
  2. Diagnose or treat injuries, disorders, or diseases of the eye and eye structures including the cornea, sclera, conjunctiva, or eyelids.
  3. Provide or direct the provision of postoperative care.
  4. Develop or implement plans and procedures for ophthalmologic services.
  5. Prescribe or administer topical or systemic medications to treat ophthalmic conditions and to manage pain.
  6. Develop treatment plans based on patients' histories and goals, the nature and severity of disorders, and treatment risks and benefits.
  7. Perform ophthalmic surgeries such as cataract, glaucoma, refractive, corneal, vitro-retinal, eye muscle, or oculoplastic surgeries.
  8. Educate patients about maintenance and promotion of healthy vision.
  9. Document or evaluate patients' medical histories.
  10. Perform, order, or interpret the results of diagnostic or clinical tests.
  11. Provide ophthalmic consultation to other medical professionals.
  12. Refer patients for more specialized treatments when conditions exceed the experience, expertise, or scope of practice of practitioner.
  13. Perform laser surgeries to alter, remove, reshape, or replace ocular tissue.
  14. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams of health professionals to provide optimal patient care.
  15. Prescribe corrective lenses such as glasses or contact lenses.
  16. Prescribe ophthalmologic treatments or therapies such as chemotherapy, cryotherapy, or low vision therapy.

Supplemental Tasks (2)

  1. Instruct interns, residents, or others in ophthalmologic procedures and techniques.
  2. Conduct clinical or laboratory-based research in ophthalmology.

Education & Training

Job Zone 5 Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
Education: Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
Experience: Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
On-the-Job Training: Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.

Education Level Distribution

Percentage of workers in this occupation with each education level.

Post-Doctoral Training
42%
Doctoral Degree
20%
Post-Baccalaureate Certificate - awarded for completion of an organized program of study; designed for people who have completed a Baccalaureate degree but do not meet the requirements of academic degrees carrying the title of Master.
14%
First Professional Degree - awarded for completion of a program that: requires at least 2 years of college work before entrance into the program, includes a total of at least 6 academic years of work to complete, and provides all remaining academic requirements to begin practice in a profession.
14%
Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)
10%

Technology & Tools

Hot Technologies

  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Word
  • eClinicalWorks EHR software

Software (26)

  • Allscripts PM
  • Automatic Data Processing AdvancedMD EHR
  • Benchmark Systems Benchmark Clinical EHR
  • Bizmatics PrognoCIS EMR
  • CareCloud Central
  • Cerner PowerWorks Practice Management
  • Email software
  • Epic Practice Management
  • EyeMD EMR Healthcare Systems EyeMD EMR
  • GE Healthcare Centricity Practice Solution
  • GalacTek ECLIPSE
  • Greenway Medical Technologies PrimeSUITE
  • HealthFusion MediTouch
  • IOS Health Systems Medios EHR
  • Kareo Practice Management
  • McKesson Practice Plus
  • Modernizing Medicine Practice Management
  • NextGen Healthcare NextGen Practice Management
  • Ophthalmic imaging software
  • Vitera Healthcare Solutions Vitera Intergy
  • WRSHealth EMR
  • athenahealth athenaCollector
  • simplifyMD

Tools & Equipment (51)

  • Automated external defibrillators AED
  • Autorefractors
  • Binocular indirect ophthalmoscopes
  • Conjunctival sac scissors
  • Corneal scissors
  • Corneal topographers
  • Diagnostic exophthalmometers
  • Diagnostic ophthalmoscope sets
  • Digital still cameras
  • Electrosurgical coagulation units
  • Evisceration scoops
  • Eye speculums
  • Eye surgery lasers
  • Eye test lens sets
  • Handheld tonometers
  • Iris forceps
  • Irrigation-extraction cannulas
  • Keratometers
  • Lacrimal probes
  • Laptop computers
  • Lens expressors
  • Lensmeters
  • Lid retractors
  • Matrix visual field instruments
  • Mechanical stethoscopes
  • Medical examination penlights
  • Nerve fiber analyzers
  • Occluders
  • Ophthalmic digital imaging systems
  • Ophthalmic needle holders
  • Ophthalmic perimeters
  • Ophthalmic prism sets
  • Ophthalmic slit lamps
  • Ophthalmic surgery forceps
  • Ophthalmic surgery retractors
  • Ophthalmic surgical scalpels
  • Ophthalmic transilluminators
  • Ophthalmic ultrasound imaging scanners
  • Optical coherence tomography equipment
  • Otoscopes
  • Personal computers
  • Phoropters
  • Retinometers
  • Scanning laser ophthalmoscopes
  • Sphygmomanometers
  • Surgical loupes
  • Surgical microscopes
  • Tablet computers
  • Venous ophthalnodynanometers
  • Vision testing displays
  • Vital signs monitors

Where This Career Leads

Career progression organized by specialty track and experience level.

Physical Health Advanced Manufacturing

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