Dr. Mark Fleckner on what to know about practicing ophthalmology.

The ideal career path for many people is going to college, going to grad school, then getting the perfect job in the perfect place. However, things don’t always go as planned. Beginning a career in medicine can be a stressful experience. Ophthalmology is no different. While ophthalmologists are in higher demand than general physicians, it doesn’t mean it will be easy finding a job right out of college. Below are some of the things you should know before enrolling to become an ophthalmologist.

Ophthalmology is a Huge Subject

Anyone who has studied a single organ knows how much there is to learn. This is why many doctors, surgeons, and other medical staff learn about a single organ for their entire student life. They then go onto perform and operate on this one organ, never veering off their expertise. The eye is no different. Whoever enters medical school likely does so because they want to help people. Make sure you want to study the eye and only the eye. If you plan on becoming an ophthalmologist, there will be no time to study any other areas of the medical field.

Learn a Sub-Specialty

There are many types of ophthalmologists. A person need not decide which part of the eye they want to focus on before entering school; however, student life progresses, begin to think about which type of ophthalmologist you want to be. If focusing on the cornea, cataract, retina, or any other singular part of the eye doesn’t satisfy you, consider becoming a general ophthalmologist.

You Can Do What Others Can’t

It is difficult to diagnose eye problems. A person needs years of training before they can even begin to recognize the signs of eye problems. Becoming an ophthalmologist is satisfying because you will be able to do what so many cannot: diagnose eye diseases.

The Cons of Being an Ophthalmologist

Many diseases of the eye cannot be cured. These diseases include glaucoma, retinal diseases, and orbital diseases. A person must be content in attempting to lessen symptoms of these diseases instead of curing them. Experts are nowhere close to curing these diseases fully, so an ophthalmologist must be satisfied in helping others without being able to rid them of their debilitation.

Originally posted on DrMarkFleckner.org