Ophthalmology

Ophthalmology is a medical speciality that focuses on the physiology, anatomy, and disorders of the eyeball and orbit. The word ‘Ophthalmology’ has its origins in Greek with ‘ophthalmos’ meaning ‘eye’ and ‘logia’ meaning ‘study or discourse’. Thus, it is known as the ‘science of eyes’. 

Ophthalmology course graduates or ophthalmologists are specialists in medical and surgical eye illness who frequently function as both a physician and a surgeon to inspect, diagnose, and treat diseases and injuries in and around the eye. They frequently provide a thorough treatment plan for eye symptoms and disorders.

Medical students can pursue a variety of ophthalmology courses at various levels of study, including certificate, diploma, undergraduate, postgraduate, and PhD/DM programmes. Admission to an ophthalmology degree programme is based on candidates' class 12th/bachelor's/master's scores in the relevant field of study. Many top and prestigious colleges also demand entrance exam scores such as NEET, AIIMS, JMIEE, IPU CET, and others as part of the eligibility criterion for admission to this course.

Some of the top ophthalmology colleges in India are AIIMS, Christian Medical College, Banaras Hindu University, and others. The annual tuition expense for ophthalmology courses ranges between INR 10,000 to INR 12 lakh. The return on investment (ROI) in this field in terms of starting income is also appealing, with freshers receiving INR 15,000 - INR 50,000 per month, with the possibility of increasing to INR 60,000 - INR 1 lakh per month.

Here are all of the important highlights related to ophthalmology courses for applicants to consider and pursue this course in India:

Choosing a specialisation that precisely suits a medical student's strengths and preferences is one of the most crucial decisions they must make. Typically, medical students face this quandary during or before their internship. A variety of factors will influence candidates' choice of medical speciality. Ophthalmology is one such medical speciality that most candidates are interested in.

Furthermore, studying ophthalmology courses in India provides numerous advantages for both students and professionals. As the country is well-connected with various medical communities, aspirants have access to some of the top training and resources in the world at a lower cost than in other countries.

Students pursuing ophthalmology courses in India will benefit from exposure to a diverse range of clinical cases, as well as the opportunity to acquire abilities in both diagnostic and surgical procedures. Ophthalmologists in private practice often have a lesser workload, giving them more time to focus on each patient's unique needs.

Here are the five different ways in which ophthalmology courses can help aspirants benefit their future careers:

• Medical treatments are constantly developing, making ophthalmology a fascinating and dynamic field. A degree in ophthalmology may be a suitable alternative for applicants who wish to improve people's health while also working with new technology and procedures.
• Within this subject of study, there are numerous specialisation options. Consider oculoplastic surgery, in which aspirants work with plastic surgery in the eye area. Other alternatives include glaucoma, medical retina, and paediatric eye problems.
• Courses in ophthalmology help students develop a specific set of abilities, yet many of them are generally transferable. They learn how to solve problems, operate under pressure, and work well in multidisciplinary teams.
• As the ophthalmology course is an occupational degree, the odds of finding professional employment soon after graduation are excellent.
• Ophthalmology graduates have several job prospects all across the world. A degree and career in ophthalmology provide students with transferable abilities that can be used anywhere in the world.

Considering ophthalmology is a vast and in-demand medical area, medical aspirants and professionals can find a range of different Ophthalmology courses to study in India at various levels. Some of these courses/programmes are listed in the following table:

Ophthalmology is a medical field with various subspecialties that allow practitioners to specialise in certain problems or groups. The primary subspecialties, on the other hand, are those that are recognised for training purposes. These are the following:

• Cornea: The cornea is the transparent, dome-shaped covering that sits in front of the iris and pupil. A cornea subspecialist treats and diagnoses corneal eye disorders such as Fuchs' dystrophy and keratoconus. Many cornea subspecialists also do refractive surgery (like LASIK) and corneal transplants. They also deal with corneal damage and difficult contact lens fittings.
• Retina: The retina is the light-sensitive tissue that lines the inner surface of the eye. The macula is a small part of the retina that is in charge of the centre and detail vision. A retina specialist is someone who detects and treats retinal illnesses such as macular degeneration and diabetic eye disease. They mend injured and detached retinas and treat vitreous, the gel-like substance in the centre of the eyeball, surgically.
• Glaucoma: Glaucoma is a condition that damages the optic nerve, which connects the eye to the brain. The most prevalent kinds of glaucoma are caused by increased intraocular pressure. When fluid does not circulate properly inside the eye, pressure builds up and destroys the optic nerve. Glaucoma subspecialists treat eye pressure via drugs, lasers, and surgery.
• Pediatrics: Pediatric ophthalmologists care for children's and newborns' eyes. They diagnose and treat eye misalignment, uncorrected refractive problems, and variations in vision between the two eyes, as well as juvenile eye illnesses and other ailments. Adults with eyes that do not work together properly are also treated by strabismus experts.
• Oculoplastics: Damage or abnormalities with the eyelids, bones, and other structures around the eyeball, as well as the tear drainage system, are repaired by oculoplastic surgeons. They use medicinal injections to improve the appearance and function of facial components around the eyes and face.
• Neurology: Neuro-ophthalmologists treat visual issues caused by the interaction of the eyes with the brain, nerves, and muscles. They detect and treat, among other things, optic nerve issues, various types of vision loss, double vision, aberrant eye movements, unequal pupil size, and eyelid abnormalities. Strokes, brain tumours, multiple sclerosis, and thyroid eye disease are among the diseases that might cause these issues.

Passing an entrance exam with minimum qualifying scores is one of the primary admission or eligibility requirements for ophthalmology courses (especially postgraduate degrees) in India. Here are a few well-known ophthalmology entrance exams used by prominent universities and institutes to assess qualified/eligible individuals for respective programmes:

• Aligarh Muslim University Entrance Exam (AMUEE)
• All India Institute of Medical Sciences Entrance Exam
• All India Institute of Optometrical Sciences Entrance Exam 
• Bangalore University Entrance Exam
• Bharati Vidyapeeth University: College of Optometry Entrance Exam
• Deen Dayal Upadhyay Gorakhpur University Entrance Exam (DDU EE)
• Banaras Hindu University Entrance Exam (BHU EE)
• Indraprastha University Common Entrance Test (IPU CET)
• Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College Entrance Exam
• Mahatma Gandhi Medical College & Hospital – M.G University Entrance Exam
• Manipal University Entrance Exam (MET)
• National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET)
• National Eligibility cum Entrance Test - PG (NEET-PG)
• Osmania Medical College Entrance Exam
• Punjab University Entrance Exam
• Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences Entrance Exam (RGUHS EE)
• Sardar Patel University Entrance Exam
• The University College of Medical Sciences (UCMS) - University of Delhi Entrance Exam
• University of Lucknow Entrance Exam
• University of Rajasthan Entrance Exam

Medical practitioners and aspirants should be aware that different levels of study in ophthalmology have varying eligibility and admission criteria for obtaining an ophthalmology degree. The table below summarises the general entrance or eligibility criteria for students interested in studying for this degree in India:

Aspirants should be aware that admission to ophthalmology courses is strictly based on the aggregate marks obtained in class 12th/bachelor's degree/master's degree as well as the qualifying entrance exam scores accepted by universities or colleges such as NEET, AIIMS, JMIEE, and so on. Medical students can start their application for ophthalmology courses both online and offline. Before applying, keep the following points in mind:

• Students must visit the official website of the university or college and correctly fill out all of the required information/personal data in the student application form. After enrolling, applicants must wait for any relevant letters from the college/university.
• Following online registration, applicants must visit the campus with all required documents, including all previous academic transcripts, mark sheets, certificates, ID verification, and photographs.
• Candidates who wish to apply offline must get an application form from the college campus and fill it out accurately with the required information before submitting it.
• Students will be admitted to their preferred colleges/universities based on their previous academic achievements, performance in extracurricular activities, and entrance exam qualifying scores. 
• It is also vital to remember that admission will be granted only to those eligible students who meet all of the eligibility criteria and pass the college/cut-off marks.

Some of the most renowned colleges in India that are offering ophthalmology courses to medical aspirants are given in the table below: 

For candidates who choose to study the course outside of India, there are numerous universities and institutes available. Here is a list of options for Ophthalmology students interested in studying abroad:

The course fees for Ophthalmology courses, like those for any other medical course or degree in India, are determined by various factors, including the type of course, level of programme, type of university, location, goodwill/ranking of the university, and others. The estimated annual fees for ophthalmology courses in India at various levels of study are as follows:

Medical students and practitioners should be aware that Ophthalmology courses’ curriculum and syllabus vary depending on the type of degree/course, level of study, university, and other factors. The following are the main subjects that applicants will study in this field of study at the bachelor's and master's levels:

• Physiology of Eye and Vision
• Diseases of Lens
• Diseases of Cornea
• Neuro-ophthalmology
• Diseases of Retina and Vitreous
• Glaucoma
• Diseases of Conjunctiva
• Diseases of Sclera
• Anatomy and Development of the Eye
• Elementary and Physiological Optics
• Errors of Refraction
• Disorders of Ocular Motility
• Ocular Pharmacology
• Community Ophthalmology
• Trauma and Emergency Ophthalmology
• Disorders of the eyelids, orbit, lacrimal drainage apparatus 
• Occuloplasty
• Optic Nerve, etc.

Ophthalmologists are in high demand in both the public and private sectors. This training also serves as a foundation for establishing one's eye clinic. There is an increasing need for ophthalmologists not only in India but also worldwide, in nations such as Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, and the Gulf States. After completing their residency study, students can seek fellowship studies in Ophthalmology subspecialties.

Ophthalmology is a specialised speciality of medicine with several job opportunities in commercial and government hospitals, health departments, health centres, and non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

A candidate for the position of ophthalmologist or senior specialist of ophthalmology can also apply for the Combined Medical Service entrance examination (CMSEE) conducted by the UPSC (Union Public Commission Service). State health services exams are administered by the respective state administration, as are provincial service commissioners. As an ophthalmologist, one can also serve in the Indian army, air force, or navy.

Job Prospects 

Some of the famous job prospects and opportunities for Ophthalmology graduates are mentioned below:

The income in any industry is the most crucial factor to consider while choosing a vocation for oneself. The income of an ophthalmology expert, like that of any other profession, is determined by qualification, experience, and the area in which one works.

At the entry-level, ophthalmology course graduates can expect to earn between INR 20,000 and 35,000 per month. A fresher working in a government hospital might expect to earn somewhere between INR 15,000 and INR 35,000 per month. A month's salary in a private-sector hospital might range between INR 25,000 and INR 50,000. Part-time private practice in some eye clinics can be done while working. Senior eye doctors might earn between INR 60,000 and INR 1 lakh per month. As experience increases, so does the salary package.

While salaries can vary greatly depending on criteria such as seniority, experience, and profession type, the typical yearly average salaries of the various job roles in Ophthalmology are given below:

A postgraduate degree is merely one of many foundations required to develop a successful career in Ophthalmology. Precision and a lot of practice are required for surgeons, whereas a broad knowledge foundation is required for doctors. Other important skills in an ophthalmology career include:

• Excellent eye-hand coordination
• Significant ability in mathematics and physics 
• Working knowledge of all disorders affecting the visual system, as well as the anatomy and functioning of the eye
• Current understanding of ongoing research subjects in the field 
• Strong decision-making, organisational, analytical, and problem-solving skills
• Capability to perform administrative and managerial duties effectively
• Physical and mental strength
• Technical skills
• Detail-oriented
• Dexterous and alert