Does having a lazy eye prevent me from becoming a surgeon?

I know SDN is not intended to be medical help forum but this thread doesn't really fall under that category.

Basically I have 20/20 in my right with glasses but my vision in my left is pretty bad. I mean, I can see everything CLEARLY, it's just weak, and it isn't one of those things that can be treated with surgery. I make look into a patch again. But my optometrist said don't both because at my age there is not point.

I actually asked an ER room doc while volunteering and he said that I could definitely become a surgeon with a lazy eye as long as I have on eye that works.

I believe him but I just wanted to ask on here.

Crazyday said:

There's surgeons out there with less than a full set of fingers.

Please, please, stop worrying about this sort of stuff.

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Good to know. At risk of flaming, this is actually a pretty good question to ask. If for some reason surgeons had to be like astronauts or commercial pilots, I would never have been able to go into that field.

Tired said:

You're going to get a whole bunch of responses here that basically say, "Duh! Of course you can!"

The answer is less simple.

Do you have depth perception?

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Yes.

Tired said:

Then you'll probably be fine.

When it comes to medicine, there is no particular "list of disqualifying conditions". But there are particular functional deficits that will prevent you from being in certain fields.

Some people are able to overcome certain physical disabilities to do what they want. Others will not. However, when you apply to school, they will ask you, "Do you have any condition that might prevent you from fully functioning as a med student/physician?" You will probably need to answer yes.

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Okay, that's a relief. I think my left eye is just weak. I will talk to my optometrist. Anymore questions?