Ophthalmologists 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.

  • Perform ophthalmic surgeries such as cataract, glaucoma, refractive, corneal, vitro-retinal, eye muscle, or oculoplastic surgeries.
  • Perform comprehensive examinations of the visual system to determine the nature or extent of ocular disorders.
  • Diagnose or treat injuries, disorders, or diseases of the eye and eye structures including the cornea, sclera, conjunctiva, or eyelids.
  • Document or evaluate patients' medical histories.
  • Provide or direct the provision of postoperative care.
  • Perform, order, or interpret the results of diagnostic or clinical tests.
  • Develop treatment plans based on patients' histories and goals, the nature and severity of disorders, and treatment risks and benefits.
  • Prescribe or administer topical or systemic medications to treat ophthalmic conditions and to manage pain.
  • Perform laser surgeries to alter, remove, reshape, or replace ocular tissue.
  • Provide ophthalmic consultation to other medical professionals.
  • Educate patients about maintenance and promotion of healthy vision.
  • Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams of health professionals to provide optimal patient care.
  • Refer patients for more specialized treatments when conditions exceed the experience, expertise, or scope of practice of practitioner.
  • Develop or implement plans and procedures for ophthalmologic services.
  • Instruct interns, residents, or others in ophthalmologic procedures and techniques.
  • Prescribe ophthalmologic treatments or therapies such as chemotherapy, cryotherapy, or low vision therapy.
  • Prescribe corrective lenses such as glasses or contact lenses.
  • Conduct clinical or laboratory-based research in ophthalmology.
Work Context
  • Indoors, Environmentally Controlled — 100% responded "Every day".
  • Face-to-Face Discussions — 100% responded "Every day".
  • Contact With Others — 100% responded "Constant contact with others".
  • Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results — 97% responded "Very important results".
  • Importance of Being Exact or Accurate — 92% responded "Extremely important".
  • Deal With External Customers — 97% responded "Extremely important".
  • Telephone — 89% responded "Every day".
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Work Activities
  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
  • Assisting and Caring for Others — Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
  • Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Analyzing Data or Information — Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
  • Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
  • Processing Information — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
  • Controlling Machines and Processes — Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
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Detailed Work Activities
  • Advise medical personnel regarding healthcare issues.
  • Refer patients to other healthcare practitioners or health resources.
  • Train medical providers.
  • Develop medical treatment plans.
  • Provide health and wellness advice to patients, program participants, or caregivers.
  • Conduct research to increase knowledge about medical issues.
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Knowledge

Medicine and Dentistry
  • Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.
English Language
  • Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Biology
  • Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.
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Skills

Critical Thinking
  • Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Active Listening
  • Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Reading Comprehension
  • Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Speaking
  • Talking to others to convey information effectively.
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Abilities

Oral Comprehension
  • The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Inductive Reasoning
  • The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
Near Vision
  • The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
Oral Expression
  • The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
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Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include ideas, thinking, and figuring things out.
They do well at jobs that need:
  • Achievement/Effort
  • Persistence
  • Initiative
  • Leadership
  • Cooperation
  • Concern for Others
  • Social Orientation
  • Self Control
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Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

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

Get started on your career:

Job Outlook

New job opportunities are less likely in the future.
Salary
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