An ophthalmologist diagnoses and treats diseases and disorders of the eye. You perform surgery, prescribe medications, and help patients preserve or restore vision. It requires a doctoral degree and extensive preparation, but offers deep clinical work and the chance to transform how people see.
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Ophthalmologists examine patients' eyes to identify diseases, injuries, and vision problems. You perform surgical procedures, prescribe corrective lenses and medications, and develop treatment plans. Your work involves analyzing test results, documenting patient records, and staying current with medical advances. You make complex clinical decisions based on patient history, diagnostic data, and evidence-based practice. Much of your day involves direct patient care, listening to concerns, and explaining diagnoses and treatment options in ways patients understand.
Core work activities
Career video courtesy of CareerOneStop.
Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric earn a median of $300,080 a year, based on 2025 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and location.
The outlook is steady. Employment is projected to grow 4 percent from 2024 to 2034, about as fast as average for all occupations, with about 300 openings a year.
Top skills
Knowledge areas
You need a doctoral degree in medicine or osteopathy, followed by specialized residency training in ophthalmology. Your path includes undergraduate coursework in biology and chemistry, medical school, and several years of supervised clinical training. This extensive preparation develops your ability to diagnose complex conditions and perform delicate surgical procedures. Throughout your education, you build the critical thinking and scientific knowledge required to practice independently and stay current as medicine evolves.
Medical school and residency training are the standard routes to becoming an ophthalmologist. The timeline and financial investment are significant, so if you are exploring whether this path fits your goals and circumstances, Pathly can map the ophthalmologist, except pediatric path that fits you and turn it into a step-by-step plan with your counselor in the loop.
You do not need a license to work as an ophthalmologist, except pediatric, but professional certifications can strengthen your resume.
Common certifications
You are drawn to investigative work that combines scientific thinking with direct patient care. You enjoy solving complex problems, analyzing data, and using evidence to guide decisions.
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Last updated July 1, 2026.
Data sources. Career details from the O*NET 30.3 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under CC BY 4.0. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Salary and outlook figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025 wages; 2024–2034 projections), delivered via the CareerOneStop API. Certification, licensing, wage, and outlook data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by USDOL/ETA and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).