What proportion of the work of ophthalmologists' is surgical vs. medical? In other words, what % of your day is spent doing something hands-on vs. prescribing an eyedrop or drug? What would you do if you developed Parkinson's that prevents you from doing surgeries?

What proportion of the work of ophthalmologists' is surgical vs. medical? In other words, what % of your day is spent doing something hands-on vs. prescribing an eyedrop or drug? What would you do if you developed Parkinson's that prevents you from doing surgeries?

Generally speaking, most comprehensive guys will have 1/2 to 1 day per week in surgery and 4 days in clinic. Most of your time (80%) is spent in clinic unless you are a cataract/lasik cowboy. Most clinic work is not "hands-on". There may be an occasional foreign body removal, punctal plug placement, chalazion I+D, lid lesion removal, Botox (if you choose), laser. Some subspecialties (retina) may have more hands-on (laser/injection) clinics.

Generally speaking, most comprehensive guys will have 1/2 to 1 day per week in surgery and 4 days in clinic. Most of your time (80%) is spent in clinic unless you are a cataract/lasik cowboy. Most clinic work is not "hands-on". There may be an occasional foreign body removal, punctal plug placement, chalazion I+D, lid lesion removal, Botox (if you choose), laser. Some subspecialties (retina) may have more hands-on (laser/injection) clinics.

But if you want to use his example... I would think even doing a fundus exam would be difficult if one's hands were signficantly affected by Parkinson's.

But if you want to use his example... I would think even doing a fundus exam would be difficult if one's hands were signficantly affected by Parkinson's.

You would probably have to give up surgery with Parkinson's, but you could still practice as a medical ophthalmologist. With a steady, repetitive tremor, a dilated exam should not be too difficult. By that time, you would be pretty adept as picking up abnormalities quickly. But, I have no first or second hand knowledge.

I think the trouble would be with the undilated/direct scope exam.

. . . . What would you do if you developed Parkinson's that prevents you from doing surgeries?

What if you lost vision in one eye? What if you had a stroke? What if you were injured in an auto accident and couldn't work?

These questions are not the sort of questions you ask yourself when deciding on a specialty. These are the questions you ask yourself when devising a disability insurance and retirement strategy, no matter what specialty you choose.