Types of Procedures

[Doctor D]

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I am an MS1 considering optho as a career. One thing that I worry about is if I do become an opthalmologist that I will become bored by doing the same procedures over and over again. Is this a factor for any residents/attendings?

 

[MR1]

This can be a factor for any resident or attending in ANY speciality. Yes certain things in ophtho become mundane including surgery but if you enjoy it then that helps keep it fun. For family medicine I imagine the 1500 URI\cough\cold, etc gets old, ENT has ear tubes and T&A's, gen surgery has appy and choles. Everyone has their bread and butter that gets routine. If you love doing it though it is different. For me seeing 2 URI would drive me nuts.

 

[Visionary]

This can be a factor for any resident or attending in ANY speciality. Yes certain things in ophtho become mundane including surgery but if you enjoy it then that helps keep it fun. For family medicine I imagine the 1500 URI\cough\cold, etc gets old, ENT has ear tubes and T&A's, gen surgery has appy and choles. Everyone has their bread and butter that gets routine. If you love doing it though it is different. For me seeing 2 URI would drive me nuts.

Well-stated, MR1. After 10 or so years in practice, any specialty (make that any job, really) can become mundane. Of course, I've not been in practice that long. From what I've heard, though, loving your particular specialty only goes so far. I think that's one reason why so many people nowadays make specialty choices based on lifestyle. If you eventually become bored with your job AND the lifestyle sucks, then.....ugh.

 

[deuce924]

What would you consider to be the B & B procedures in Ophthalmology? Thanks.

 

[FutureCTDoc]

Go into academics at a major ophtho center i.e. Bascom Palmer, UIowa, Mass Eye and Ear, Jules Stein or any other number of programs. There you see more complex etiologies and more zebras, however there is an attendant cut in pay.

 

[orbitsurgMD]

What would you consider to be the B & B procedures in Ophthalmology? Thanks.

For general ophthalmology, cataract extraction with lens implantation. For glaucoma, trabeculectomy with adjuvant chemo, usually Mitomycin C. For cornea, usually either cataracts or LASIK, but also lamellar transplants. For retina, vitrectomy with endolaser and pneumatic retinopexy, but as for frequency, intraocular injection of anti-VEGF agents and laser retina photocoagulation. For plastics, ptosis repair with blepharoplasty and ectropion repairs (with or without blepharoplasty). For peds, horizontal strabismus correction.

 

[FutureCTDoc]

For general ophthalmology, cataract extraction with lens implantation. For glaucoma, trabeculectomy with adjuvant chemo, usually Mitomycin C. For cornea, usually either cataracts or LASIK, but also lamellar transplants. For retina, vitrectomy with endolaser and pneumatic retinopexy, but as for frequency, intraocular injection of anti-VEGF agents and laser retina photocoagulation. For plastics, ptosis repair with blepharoplasty and ectropion repairs (with or without blepharoplasty). For peds, horizontal strabismus correction.

Don't forget scleral buckles and vitrectomies with peels for retina, PRK/Corneal transplants/teridgiums for cornea, iridotomies for glaucoma although I've seen retinal guys do them.