Ophthalmologist : Job description

Ophthalmologists are medically trained doctors with specialist skills in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of diseases of the eye and visual system. They treat patients of all ages from babies to the elderly. Most aim to become consultants, where the role combines the technical skills of a micro surgeon with the therapeutic and diagnostic skills of a doctor.

There are a small number of medical ophthalmologists or ophthalmic physicians, who are trained in general medicine as well as ophthalmology and take a holistic view, treating the whole patient and not just focusing on the eye. They may provide laser treatment but do not carry out surgery.

Typical work activities

Ophthalmologists work predominantly with hospital out-patients. Common conditions are cataracts, glaucoma, diabetes and degenerative conditions resulting from ageing. They work in hospital eye casualty departments, outpatient clinics, the operating theatre and laser eye surgery workstations.

Tasks typically involve:

• assessing and examining patients in order to make a diagnosis;
• management of ophthalmic conditions, taking into account both medical and psychological aspects of patient care; 
• managing busy general out-patient clinics, emergency eye clinics and specialist clinics;
• ward rounds, but this is limited as most ophthalmic patients have day surgery and do not stay in hospital overnight;
• collaboration with other specialists, including diabetologists, neurologists, ENT and maxillofacial surgeons, paediatricians, amongst others;
• operating equipment such as an ophthalmoscope and a slit lamp and lens;
• carrying out surgical procedures that include using an operating microscope, small incision (keyhole) surgery and laser surgery;
• making  high level and judgements,  due to the complexities of ophthalmic conditions;
• communicating and empathising with patients and family members;
• educating patients to understand their medical condition;
• working well as part of a multi-disciplinary team that includes optometrists, orthoptists and nurses;
• handling legal documentation for certification of patients as blind or partially sighted;
• supporting health promotion and disease prevention activities.

Medical ophthalmologists are also involved in:

• management of medical disorders affecting vision, such as inflammatory, vascular, neurological and genetic disorders, thyroid eye disease, diabetes and strokes, by using an holistic approach (treatment of the whole patient), not just focussing on the eye;
• using therapeutic procedures, such as laser therapy and intraocular, periocular and botox injections;
• carrying out biopsies of tissues, including the eye;
• managing diabetes retinal screening programmes;
• building a rapport with long term patients.

For those in consultant posts, duties also include:

• leadership and coordination of members of the ophthalmology team;
• teaching/training junior doctors and other healthcare professionals;
• research;
• management of resources, practice development or leading on specific aspects of care.