need some reassurance

[snowinter]

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Hi Everyone,

I'm a 3rd year student . .

Today I was flipping through this Clinical Anatomy of the Visual System Atlas -- just to get an overview. What drew me to ophthamology was 1. the surgeries and 2. the clinics. In the Atlas, there are tons of histopathology slides, etc. while I find histology and molecular biology interesting, I can't say i'm all that fond of it. My question is two-fold.
1. can I sill be an opthamologist if I don't think I want to do research? Or is research such a strong part of this field that I should reconsider my stance on research?

2. Is it ok if i'm not in love with the histology and molecular biology aspects? I just want clinical pictures & differential diagnosis. I know I will learn in depth the histology. But, how much of my day to day thinking will it be?

Also, any recommendations on good *overview of ophthamology* books to read before starting the rotations?

thanks!
snowinter

 

[Andrew_Doan]

1. can I sill be an opthamologist if I don't think I want to do research? Or is research such a strong part of this field that I should reconsider my stance on research?

Yes. Most of my colleagues will never touch research again.

2. Is it ok if i'm not in love with the histology and molecular biology aspects? I just want clinical pictures & differential diagnosis. I know I will learn in depth the histology. But, how much of my day to day thinking will it be?

You will spend about 1 week of the year thinking about ocular pathology... right before your board examination and OKAP. At Iowa, you also spend 45 minutes on Tuesday morning with the ocular pathologist. Path, however, will be enjoyable because it helps you link histology to clinical pictures and differential diagnoses.

For instance: http://webeye.ophth.uiowa.edu/eyeforum/case15.htm

Also, any recommendations on good *overview of ophthamology* books to read before starting the rotations?

http://webeye.ophth.uiowa.edu/eyeforum/books.htm#students

Good luck!