Ophthalmology provides a combination of medical and surgical work
and offers a great deal of job satisfaction: it is particularly
rewarding to enable people to see. Much of the pathology in the eye
can be visualised, reducing reliance on laboratory tests in order to
make a diagnosis. The surgery is delicate and challenging and the
discipline itself is high-tech and constantly changing, with
opportunities for practitioners to subspecialise or to maintain
general interests.
I enjoy being able to make a real difference to patients like
helping them improve their vision so that they can have a better
quality of life.
It is necessary to possess good attention to detail, with first-rate
motor skills and hand/foot/eye co-ordination. You should be able to
communicate effectively with patients and colleagues, and work well
with others. Entry to ophthalmology is highly competitive so you
will require personal and academic qualities that stand out.
Enthusiasm and commitment are essential attributes.
Most full time ophthalmologists who work in both the public and
private sectors divide their time fairly evenly, and have eight
clinics and two operating lists per week. A full time public
hospital opthalmologist would typically have five clinics and two
operating lists each week, with the remaining time devoted to
teaching, research and administration.
There will be increasing demand for services because of the
population is ageing, and it will be essential for specialists to
keep up with technological advances such as potential new drugs for
the treatment of glaucoma and macular degeneration.
Entry to ophthalmology is competitive so applicants must be
committed: it is a good idea to decide as early on as possible
whether this is a career path that interests you. The specialty is
academically challenging.
It would be difficult to take time out to travel once you have
embarked on the training programme, but it is possible beforehand or
afterwards. Taking leave to have a baby or for other special
reasons, either during training or in practice as a consultant, is
accepted and supported. Part time training is not available.
It is important to focus on your studies during training, which
reduces the amount of time you are able to spend with family and
friends. For consultants, although the call work is limited and the
hours are comparatively reasonable, the specialty is still demanding
on time so it will inevitably impact on family life. Ophthalmology
is considered to be a good specialty for anyone who wishes to work
part time on a long-term basis.
According to registrars and consultants in Auckland, the only
disadvantage with the specialty is the fact that it is so
competitive to gain entry to the training programme.
I enjoy being able to make a real difference to patients like helping them improve their vision so that they can have a better quality of life.