Ophthalmologist

Duties and Responsibilities:

• While ophthalmologists can be thought of generically as 'eye doctors' and perform some of the same duties as optometrists, they differ in that ophthalmologists perform eye surgery and treat eye diseases. Ophthalmologists also examine eyes and prescribe contact lenses and glasses.

Salary: $230,438-$313,559

Education:

• Students typically complete a bachelor's program, a 4-year Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) program and a 3-year ophthalmology residency in a hospital.

Demand:

• The demands on ophthalmologists is driven by the increasing graying of American society, there is also an expected increase in demand for care of younger patients. According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau, based on the 2000 census, the population of Americans age 65 years and older is expected to increase by 36% by 2020, 79% by 2030 and 120% by 2050. Projected growth among individuals 85 years and older is expected to jump almost 15%, 52% and 231% during that same time.

Reflection: I believe that the Ophthalmologist profession is part of the eye doctor family. Eye doctors are very special and talented in their jobs, however I don’t think this profession is my passion. I do still think that is a very interesting job and studying/knowing about the human eye is great.