Eye surgery

Originally posted by CutIt
Question for the optho-residents or optho-seeking--what made you interested in opthamology? At least at our medical school, the exposure given to optho 3rd year is ridiculous--it's a single day during the neuro month during which most of the day is spent on lectures.

1) What factors made you interested in optho?
2) What are the major areas of research that are being pursued? (anything with fetal tissue implantation or use of computer chips for blind individuals, etc?)
3) Can neuro-opthamologists operate?
4) What are the major pathologies that retina specialists operate on?

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1) What factors made you interested in optho?
Many things in ophthalmology now can be treated medically or surgically. Even giving out a good pair of glasses provides immediate gratification. I love the neuroscience, and it's always amazed me how the eyes function with the brain.

2) What are the major areas of research that are being pursued?
Genetic basis for ocular diseases, neuro-protection for glaucoma, tumor research (e.g. melanomas, lymphomas, retinoblastomas, etc..), retina chips, etc.. Basically, go to pubmed and do a quick search. You'll find that there's numerous avenues of research.

3) Can neuro-opthamologists operate?
Yes. Most neuro-ophth also practice general ophthalmology: cataracts, muscle surgeries, etc... If you do a oculoplastics fellowship, then you can do orbital stuff.

4) What are the major pathologies that retina specialists operate on?
Retinal detachments, retinal tears, vitreous hemorrhage, endophthalmitis (bad intraocular infection that looks like a snow globe in the eye), proliferative vitreoretinopathy, AMD, retinal traction, retinal holes, open globe repair, removing intraocular foreign bodies, etc...

I recommend that you do an away rotation at a well-established ophthalmology program. Good luck!

Originally posted by CutIt
was anyone interested strongly in neurosurgery as a med student, but did not pursue it due to the lifestyle?

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Yes.. me.