Need more info on Neuro-optho

[ecoscuba]

Hello I am going to be an M1 come august. However, I am interested in neuro-optho as future prospect. I currently have my my PhD in neuropathology and neuroelectrophysiology and would like to focus on research that focuses on optical nerve regeneration and retinal regeneration. Neuro-opthamology, from what I have read, seems to fit my ideas best but the information on the web seems somewhat lacking. Is there anyone here who can give me more info on neuro-optho? A day in the life of, etc.?

I have read a lot of the links in the faq and have a pretty good handle on the procedures that are covered under neuro-optho, but hope someone can fill me in as to how long the fellowship is, standard salary, hours, potential academics, hours with academics, etc. Just a good overall picture. Thanks in advance.

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[Andrew_Doan]

Neuro-op can be achieved via one of two routes:

1) ophthalmology residency then 1 year neuro-op fellowship (you can do surgery and practice general ophthalmology too).

2) neurology residency then 1 year neuro-op fellowship (you can't do intraocular surgery, but will be able to do temporal artery biopsies - until you and your neuro-op buddies unite and lobby like the optometrists for intraocular surgery rights).

The standard salary for an academic neuro-op faculty is low compared to other faculty. It's low because they are non-surgical. However, many of them are famous and make $$$ as consultants, expert witness, speakers, or stock holders in new new start-ups. Look up the neuro-op faculty at Iowa (http://webeye.ophth.uiowa.edu) and then look up their salary here: http://www.press-citizen.com/salaries2004/

Hours are nice. Academic hours are usually nice with 4 days of clinic and 1 academic day. This is a 7:30 AM to 5 PM job. Call is low volume.

Potential academics is what you make of it.

The other option is to be in an academic institution where you can do neuro-op and general ophthalmology (basic surgeries like cataracts, muscles, lasers, and glaucoma surgeries). Some fellowships train you both in neuro-op and orbital surgery:

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=64974

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=77205

Good luck!