About
Ophthalmology is a discipline of medicine which deals with medical conditions relating to the eye such as the physiology, anatomy and diseases. Ophthalmologists is a doctor who specialise in the medical and surgical treatment of this organ. He/She play an important role in providing eye care to consumers. But the levels of training and expertise are quite different for each type of provider. It’s common for ophthalmologists or optometrists to work side-by-side with opticians to serve a patient’s overall eye care and eye wear needs, diagnose and treat all eye diseases, performs eye surgery and prescribes and fits eyeglasses and contact lenses to correct vision problems.

Ophthalmologists differ from optometrists and opticians in their levels of training and in what they can diagnose and treat. As a medical doctor who has completed college and at least eight years of additional medical training, an ophthalmologist is licensed to practice medicine and surgery.

Conditions treated by Ophthalmologist
Ophthalmologists are responsible for the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of almost all eye conditions and visual issues. However, sub-specialist ophthalmologists tend to treat and monitor certain conditions, such as:

  • glaucoma

  • retinal conditions, such as macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy

  • corneal conditions

  • cataracts

  • cases involving children or childhood eye conditions

  • cases with a neurological cause or component, such as optic nerve problems, abnormal eye movements, double vision, and some kinds of vision loss

  • cases involving complex surgical procedures, such as reconstructive surgery or advanced vision repair.

Eligibility

While an MBBS is the basic requirement to be a general doctor, specialisation in any field, including Ophthalmology, is achieved through Post Graduation, and MS or MD.

- Eye Surgeon: An M.S. (Ophthalmology) after MBBS is mandatory to be qualified as an Eye Surgeon. Pos PG a Residency of 3 years is must. Super speciality can be achieved through various degrees and diplomas.

- Eye Specialist (Medicine): The Ophthalmologist with an MD qualification is one who looks after non-surgical medical care of the eyes. For an M.D. in Ophthalmology, you require completion of 3 years residency after MBBS to qualify.

- Optometrist & Optician: To practice as an Optometrist, you require a Bachelor’s degree in Optometry. Students who have cleared 10+2 or equivalent examination, with a minimum of 50% marks in physics, chemistry and biology are eligible to apply for the B Sc in Optometry. The candidate has to appear for the EYECET examination which is the centralised, combined, entrance test for entry into optometry courses and is universally recognised all over the country.

- Ophthalmic Technician: Ophthalmologists are assisted by certified ophthalmic technician (COT) in medical and surgical eye care and patient eye treatment. There are various diplomas available for the same. Minimum qualification is class 10 or 12.

Popular courses in Ophthalmology

  • Diploma Courses: Diploma in Ophthalmology, Diploma in Ophthalmic Technology

  • Bachelor Courses: MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery)

  • Master Courses: Master of Surgery in Ophthalmology

  • Doctor of Medicine in Ophthalmology

  • Master of Science in Ophthalmology

  • Postgraduate Diploma in Ophthalmology

  • Postgraduate Certificate programme in Clinical Ophthalmology

Some of the colleges offering courses in Ophthalmology

  • All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Delhi

  • Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Kochi

  • Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC), Pune

  • Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute, Bangalore

  • Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), Puducherry

  • Regional Institute Ophthalmology (RIO) - Ahmadabad

  • Advanced Eye Centre (AEC) - Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education Research (PGIMER) - Chandigarh

  • Guru Nanak Eye Centre in Maulana Azad Medical College (MAMC)- Delhi

  • Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh www.pgimer.nic.in/

  • Regional Institute Ophthalmology (RIO) - Kolkata