An ophthalmologist is a licensed medical doctor (MD) or doctor of osteopathy (DO) who has completed additional specialty training to treat most eye disorders. An optometrist is not the same as this. An optometrist, who holds an OD (Doctor of Optometry) degree, is still a highly trained professional, but he or she is not a medical doctor and cannot provide other types of medical care or treatment. Before specializing in ophthalmology, those interested in becoming an ophthalmologist must first complete medical school and become a licensed doctor.
Depending on the country in which a person trains and practices, there may be slightly different paths to this specialty. In countries such as the United States, the first step toward becoming an ophthalmologist is to attend college and earn a bachelor’s degree in science. This usually takes four years, though some people can finish their studies in three years and others can take up to five years. Science and pre-medical majors are popular choices.
Students must begin the process of applying to medical schools in late junior or early senior year, which begins with the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). This test may necessitate a significant amount of preparation, as high scores combined with good grades have been shown to increase the likelihood of acceptance into medical school. If accepted to medical school, a person will spend three to four years studying before beginning a one-year residency/training program that will lead to licensure as a doctor.
A student interested in becoming an ophthalmologist in their final year of training begins looking for residency programs where they can focus on their specialty. Most ophthalmology residency programs last at least three years, and there are many subspecialties in which people may want to specialize, which can take a year or more of additional training. Reconstructive eye surgery, glaucoma treatment, and pediatric ophthalmology are just a few of the options.
People must take one more step after completing their ophthalmology training. They must obtain board certification in the field. The requirements for board certification may differ between states or countries. It’s critical to stay up to date on the requirements for obtaining and maintaining certification, but these details are usually covered in ophthalmology residencies and fellowships.
A total of about 12 years is usually required to become an ophthalmologist, and this time can be extended if subspecialties are pursued. Continuing education is usually required of ophthalmologists. To keep their licenses, they may need to take additional classes every few years.