Medical student interested in Ophtho, but with a big problem

[HappyGenome]

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I am a US med student, with competitive board scores and from a top med school, very interested in ophtho. I have always been fascinated by the eye and learning about it, and especially now in med school. I have had two people in my immediate family undergo serious eye surgery, successfully, which has only given me a more positive view of the field. Of all areas of medicine, I enjoy learning about the eye and disease of the eye most. I like the idea of a surgical element to the specialty, where surgery would be a part of my job (I enjoy manually fixing things, and working on small details with my hands), but not the entirety of my job. I also like the research aspect of ophtho and am strongly considering beginning a research project in the area. Though I enjoy learning about the eye, and I enjoy the aspects of the job in theory, in reality it appears I am squeemish when it comes to actually SEEING ophtho surgery being done. I know this must sound extraordinarily immature, and I do not know why this is. It doesn't seem like the other students around me mind it. I have no problem observing surgeries on any other part of the body, but when it comes to surgery on the eye - each and every time I have a hard time resisting the urge to turn away (or, turn the page, or turn off the video) and I feel incredibly uncomfortable, and often disgusted unfortunately. I find myself avoiding opportunities to observe surgeries, which is clearly not a good thing. There is something about a blade going into an eye that makes me really unhappy, even though the result is obviously for the benefit of the patient.

Is this uncommon? Did anyone else feel this way before deciding on ophtho? Can I expect I will become desensitized slowly over time, or is this problem a deal breaker for the specialty?

 

[guttata]

Is this uncommon? Did anyone else feel this way before deciding on ophtho? Can I expect I will become desensitized slowly over time, or is this problem a deal breaker for the specialty?

Some people are naturally more squeamish about the eye than others; but, I would venture to say that most ophthalmologists were not bothered by seeing ocular surgery at all (like you describe).

If you cannot become desensitized, I don't think you would be able to complete a residency. It's true that you can become a medical ophthalmologist or neuro-ophthalmologist and not do surgery, but you still have to complete a residency.

If you like the eye, consider neuro-ophthalmology after a neurology residency. Also, consider ENT, plastics, urology, or dermatology if you want to do some surgery.

 

[MR1]

Agree, I have never had a problem with eye surgery. I know I am in the right field when others (that do much grosser things, like burn surgery) get grossed out by eye surgery. Everyone has something they can't do (usually), for me it was ENT, can't handle those huge neck dissections.

Try and desensitize yourself, it can be done, if not then ophtho residency won't be possible.

 

[Mirror Form]

I am a US med student, with competitive board scores and from a top med school, very interested in ophtho. I have always been fascinated by the eye and learning about it, and especially now in med school. I have had two people in my immediate family undergo serious eye surgery, successfully, which has only given me a more positive view of the field. Of all areas of medicine, I enjoy learning about the eye and disease of the eye most. I like the idea of a surgical element to the specialty, where surgery would be a part of my job (I enjoy manually fixing things, and working on small details with my hands), but not the entirety of my job. I also like the research aspect of ophtho and am strongly considering beginning a research project in the area. Though I enjoy learning about the eye, and I enjoy the aspects of the job in theory, in reality it appears I am squeemish when it comes to actually SEEING ophtho surgery being done. I know this must sound extraordinarily immature, and I do not know why this is. It doesn't seem like the other students around me mind it. I have no problem observing surgeries on any other part of the body, but when it comes to surgery on the eye - each and every time I have a hard time resisting the urge to turn away (or, turn the page, or turn off the video) and I feel incredibly uncomfortable, and often disgusted unfortunately. I find myself avoiding opportunities to observe surgeries, which is clearly not a good thing. There is something about a blade going into an eye that makes me really unhappy, even though the result is obviously for the benefit of the patient.

Is this uncommon? Did anyone else feel this way before deciding on ophtho? Can I expect I will become desensitized slowly over time, or is this problem a deal breaker for the specialty?

Nothing to worry about. You'll get used to it quickly.