Healthcare & Human Services

Ophthalmologist

job outlook graphic

JOB OUTLOOK

Stable

What To Learn

High School

Suggested Steps to Prepare for a Ophthalmologist Career (Grades 6-12)

Check out the recommended classes, activities and skills below for each grade level. These recommendations are very general -- discuss your specific course plan with your school counselors and teachers.

AI-assisted and curriculum-reviewed guidance. Talk with your counselor or teacher about your specific plan.
Grades 6-8

Helpful Classes

  • Science
  • Health
  • Math
  • Communication

Things to Try

  • Practice measuring, observing, and recording details during science or health activities, Learn how body systems work and explain how health habits affect them, Role-play listening carefully and giving clear instructions during a care scenario, Interview an ophthalmologist about safety, observation, and helping patients

Focus Skills

  • Observation
  • Active listening
  • Accuracy
  • Communication
  • Care

Helpful Classes

  • Biology
  • Health Science
  • Algebra I
  • English
  • Computer Applications

Recommended Learning Areas

  • body systems
  • health careers
  • measurement
  • records
  • communication

Things to Try

  • Join a health science club or volunteer in a school wellness activity, Practice taking simple measurements and recording them clearly and accurately, Study body systems, symptoms, or treatment steps and explain them in plain language, Shadow an ophthalmologist or healthcare worker to learn how patient information is documented

Focus Skills

  • Observation
  • Active listening
  • Accuracy
  • Communication
  • Care

Helpful Classes

  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Health Science
  • Algebra II
  • Medical Terminology

Recommended Learning Areas

  • anatomy
  • medical terms
  • lab safety
  • patient support
  • health records

Things to Try

  • Use anatomy models, lab activities, or simulations to connect symptoms to body systems, Practice communication and empathy in patient-support role plays, Learn how health records, charts, or medication instructions are organized, Volunteer in a clinic, senior center, or community health event if available

Focus Skills

  • Observation
  • Active listening
  • Accuracy
  • Communication
  • Care

Helpful Classes

  • Anatomy and Physiology
  • Chemistry
  • Health Science
  • Statistics
  • Psychology

Recommended Learning Areas

  • patient care
  • treatment procedures
  • anatomy and physiology
  • documentation
  • health ethics

Things to Try

  • Complete a health science project focused on patient care, testing, therapy, or treatment support, Observe how healthcare teams document findings, explain next steps, and follow safety rules, Compare tools or procedures used in diagnosis, treatment, or rehabilitation, Interview a healthcare professional about accuracy, ethics, and communication

Focus Skills

  • Observation
  • Active listening
  • Accuracy
  • Communication
  • Care

Helpful Classes

  • Anatomy and Physiology
  • Medical Terminology
  • Health Science Practicum
  • Biology
  • Psychology

Recommended Learning Areas

  • clinical procedures
  • patient communication
  • health records
  • safety and infection control
  • care planning

Things to Try

  • Build a portfolio with clinical notes, anatomy knowledge, safety procedures, and care scenarios, Compare pathways in direct care, diagnostics, therapy, dental, or medical support, Complete a capstone tied to patient observation, documentation, or treatment support, Practice professional communication, confidentiality, and safety in healthcare settings

Focus Skills

  • Observation
  • Active listening
  • Accuracy
  • Communication
  • Care

Beyond High School

Here's a list of programs that you should consider if you're interested in this career:

Education Level

Education training and experience are required at different levels for success in different occupations.

First professional degree

In addition to requiring a bachelor's degree, physicians and surgeons typically need either a Medical Doctor (M.D.) or a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) degree, which takes an additional 4 years to complete. Depending on their specialty, they also need 3 to 9 years in internship and residency programs. Subspecialization includes additional training in a fellowship of 1 to 3 years.

Insider Info

Additional Information

It takes a lot of education to become any kind of doctor, and this is no less true for ophthalmologists. In the U.S., an ophthalmologist must complete four years of college for their pre-med education followed by four or more years of medical school. They then have at least four years of residency training.

"You must enjoy physics," says pediatric ophthalmologist Dr. James Reynolds. "Most of medicine is chemistry, but most of ophthalmology is physics."

"Ophthalmology is a very popular specialty, and there is a perception that it's one of the more difficult specialties to get into," says Dr. Kevin Gregory-Evans. He's an ophthalmologist.

"That's true in Canada, it's true in the U.S., and it's true in the U.K.," says Dr. Gregory-Evans. "But one thing that people often forget is that the specialty of ophthalmology is huge.... It is a very big specialty [and] getting into the training programs can be tricky."

"Ophthalmology is a competitive field to get into within medicine," says ophthalmologist Denise Gallagher. "You have to have top grades, tests scores and board scores in medical school to be able to get into an ophthalmology residency training program."

Extra Requirements

Certification is not required for physicians and surgeons; however, it may increase their employment opportunities. To become board certified, candidates must complete a residency program and pass a specialty certification exam from a medical certifying board. Examples include the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS), the American Osteopathic Association (AOA), or the American Board of Physician Specialties (ABPS).

For additional information, visit these websites: