Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric

What the job really is

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.

At a glance

• Sector: Healthcare Practitioners
• O*NET-SOC code: 29-1241
• O*NET job zone: 5 — extensive preparation
• Work sample tasks on file: 12
• Tools and technologies listed: 12

What you actually do

Work sample tasks recorded for this occupation:

• 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.
• Provide or direct the provision of postoperative care.
• Develop or implement plans and procedures for ophthalmologic services.
• Prescribe or administer topical or systemic medications to treat ophthalmic conditions and to manage pain.
• Develop treatment plans based on patients' histories and goals, the nature and severity of disorders, and treatment risks and benefits.
• Perform ophthalmic surgeries such as cataract, glaucoma, refractive, corneal, vitro-retinal, eye muscle, or oculoplastic surgeries.
• Educate patients about maintenance and promotion of healthy vision.
• Document or evaluate patients' medical histories.
• Perform, order, or interpret the results of diagnostic or clinical tests.
• Provide ophthalmic consultation to other medical professionals.
• Refer patients for more specialized treatments when conditions exceed the experience, expertise, or scope of practice of practitioner.

Tools and technology

Epic Systems, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, eClinicalWorks EHR software, Allscripts PM, Automated external defibrillators AED, Automatic Data Processing AdvancedMD EHR, Autorefractors, Benchmark Systems Benchmark Clinical EHR, Binocular indirect ophthalmoscopes, Bizmatics PrognoCIS EMR, CareCloud Central

What employers expect you to already be comfortable with.

Where this job leads

Related occupations — the usual moves up and sideways:

• Pediatric Surgeons
• Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric
• Cardiologists
• Dermatologists
• Optometrists
• Urologists
• General Internal Medicine Physicians
• Allergists and Immunologists

Getting in

O*NET assigns this occupation job zone 5 (extensive preparation). The related occupations above are the realistic routes in and out.

Find openings

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Check this against the source

O*NET OnLine: Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric — the authoritative public-domain profile this page is derived from, including the full task list, reported skills and the wage estimates for your region.

Derived and rewritten from the public-domain O*NET database (U.S. Department of Labor / Employment and Training Administration). Figures are observations, not promises — always confirm salary, licensing and visa requirements with the employer and the relevant authority.