What do you like the most in ophthalmology?

[mirabelle]

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I shadowed an opthalmologist recently and I loved his job. Really! It looked very easy most of the time (during the day I was there). I loved the interaction of physics and biology in the diagnosis and surgeries that he does. I loved the few cases where he actually had to think harder on the problem and try to figure out how to fix it...because in the other cases (if I understood well) he had protocols. I loved the use of topography in the process. In fact, I can say that I loved the multidisciplinary aspect of ophthalmology. And you, why do like this speciality?

 

[KLPM]

You don't have to do routine PRs like most other specialties.

 

[ophtho838]

no DREs

 

[DrZeke]

Ionno wtf ne1 is saying cuz s'all abbrv

 

[ophthope]

"routine PR" = routine rectal exam (PR = per rectum)
DRE = digital rectal exam

Although keep in mind that new prostate cancer screening guidelines don't have a hard and fast recommendation to perform DREs on every male over 40 like they used to. Too many false positives and associated morbidity from unnecessary biopsies and treatment. New guidelines simply recommend having a conversation with your patient and offering prostate cancer screening at age 50 for average-risk men and explaining the risks involved in screening as well the possible benefits. Even if they choose yes the American Cancer Society guidelines state they recommend "Screening with PSA with or without DRE."

Long story short, the number of 'routine DREs' is way down. May not be such a thing as "routine DRE" any more.

Moral of the story is that Ophthalmologists don't like the anus. Something for the pre-med original poster to consider as perhaps she may fare well with a career in Gastroenterology.

To the OP:
You'll find that in all fields of medicine there are evidence-based 'protocols' for how to handle various things. The art and challenge of medicine is in the cases that don't fit into those checkboxes, as well as knowing when the patient that looks like they fit into an easy cubbyhole really in fact doesn't. It's why it takes so long to be a trained physician.

Most of us like Ophthalmology because of the microsurgery. Precision surgeries with giant impacts for patients. We also enjoy the long term relationships that we have with patients. The kind of relationship that an Ophthalmologist has with their patients is unique among the surgical specialties. Most other surgeons don't see patients regularly throughout their lives like we do. It's a real privilege.

There are also headaches unique to Ophthalmology as there are with any field in medicine. As a premed though the biggest caution you should hear is that you need to make sure that there are some other fields of medicine that you might enjoy as well. Ophthalmology is very competitive, and getting into medical school in no way means that you will definitely become an Ophthalmologist. You need high board scores, good letters of recommendation, etc. Just be prepared that if this is a journey you want to take, it's going to be a long road of hard work to get there. But I think pretty much every Ophthalmologist will tell you that it was worth it in the end to be able to practice Ophthalmology.

 

[mirabelle]

"routine PR" = routine rectal exam (PR = per rectum)
DRE = digital rectal exam

Although keep in mind that new prostate cancer screening guidelines don't have a hard and fast recommendation to perform DREs on every male over 40 like they used to. Too many false positives and associated morbidity from unnecessary biopsies and treatment. New guidelines simply recommend having a conversation with your patient and offering prostate cancer screening at age 50 for average-risk men and explaining the risks involved in screening as well the possible benefits. Even if they choose yes the American Cancer Society guidelines state they recommend "Screening with PSA with or without DRE."

Long story short, the number of 'routine DREs' is way down. May not be such a thing as "routine DRE" any more.

Moral of the story is that Ophthalmologists don't like the anus. Something for the pre-med original poster to consider as perhaps she may fare well with a career in Gastroenterology.

To the OP:
You'll find that in all fields of medicine there are evidence-based 'protocols' for how to handle various things. The art and challenge of medicine is in the cases that don't fit into those checkboxes, as well as knowing when the patient that looks like they fit into an easy cubbyhole really in fact doesn't. It's why it takes so long to be a trained physician.

Most of us like Ophthalmology because of the microsurgery. Precision surgeries with giant impacts for patients. We also enjoy the long term relationships that we have with patients. The kind of relationship that an Ophthalmologist has with their patients is unique among the surgical specialties. Most other surgeons don't see patients regularly throughout their lives like we do. It's a real privilege.

There are also headaches unique to Ophthalmology as there are with any field in medicine. As a premed though the biggest caution you should hear is that you need to make sure that there are some other fields of medicine that you might enjoy as well. Ophthalmology is very competitive, and getting into medical school in no way means that you will definitely become an Ophthalmologist. You need high board scores, good letters of recommendation, etc. Just be prepared that if this is a journey you want to take, it's going to be a long road of hard work to get there. But I think pretty much every Ophthalmologist will tell you that it was worth it in the end to be able to practice Ophthalmology.

"Precision surgeries with giant impacts for patients" is what motivates me the most to chose ophthalmology, I have to admit. Someone said that if you want someone to descibe his hunger, ask him to describe the bread.

I am glad that the DRE are becoming rare, I hope I will never do any to be honest.

I know that ophthalmology is very competitive, I hope that I'll be careful enough, wise enough and patient enough to go through all that and be an ophthalmologist one day.

Thank you!

 

[KLPM]

"Precision surgeries with giant impacts for patients" is what motivates me the most to chose ophthalmology, I have to admit.

That's an appropriate description for urological surgeries too.

 

[mirabelle]

That's an appropriate description for urological surgeries too.

Ok, we don't always get what we want in this life but if I do the specialty that I want then I'll be contemplating beautiful eyes, all colors, all sizes, all moods, all day... as an ophtalmo!

 

[mirabelle]

Also, when I said that that thing motivates me the most, I think it was because I had a laser eye surgery before so I experienced it and know its weight in my life. If I had a rectal surgery instead, perhaps I'll be more interested in urology...But still, I am modest and ... it is kind of hard to imagine myself doing that...

 

[DrZeke]

Also, when I said that that thing motivates me the most, I think it was because I had a laser eye surgery before so I experienced it and know its weight in my life. If I had a rectal surgery instead, perhaps I'll be more interested in urology...But still, I am modest and ... it is kind of hard to imagine myself doing that...

Ok so... Just to offer a different perspective since you're pre-med and haven't even learned how to examine patients yet or the feeling you get the first time you ever walk into a hospital....

There are things we all hate in medicine like rectals, or I'll admit I hated childbirth and delivering babies - I know I'm one of the rare few. I happened to enjoy general surgery a lot, but hated neurosurgery. I also thought ENT surgery was very cool. And I even really enjoyed family medicine because of the relationships you form with patients and clinic time.

I was not a bright eyed and bushy tailed med student like so many. I came to med school a bit cynical and jaded and am probably less so like that now... Which is weird...

Anyways, despite all that and despite each of us hating and loving different things about medicine, I have fond memories of certain experiences in medical school relating to patient care. I didn't come to med school thinking I wanted to be any type of doctor and there was something amazing about interviewing my first patient, or even putting my stethoscope on them. It was incredible walking into the smelly county hospital and being able to examine a patient at all as a "student-doctor". Going to health fairs and doing gyne exams or screening people for hypertension felt great too. Learning to draw blood... And so on.

I just finished an internal medicine preliminary year and I wouldn't really trade it for anything. I learned a lot and even though I was at the bottom of the totem pole I finally felt like a doctor. If things hadn't worked out for me and I had to do a different specialty, I think I would be alright, because I came to medical school to be a doctor.

On the other hand... I'm ecstatic to be training as an ophthalmologist and grateful for my match. Even though I know I know nothing on my 4th day of my 1st year, I am finally bright eyed and happy for every sign I can pick up in the exam, every differential diagnosis I can come up with myself on a consult and everytime I read something and it click I kinda jump for joy. LOL. I'm sure after many days of being on call I might feel different...

Or maybe it's like med school where everything new is exciting and I just wanna do it and try it? I dunno

Anyways the point of this long rant was... We all hate things in medicine, but many of us loved or enjoyed things about other fields too. Go into med school with an OPEN MIND. You may love what your surgery did for you, but may not enjoy the day to day of being an ophtho as much as another specialty. My first exposure to medicine was cardiology and I did cardiology research for a few years, and I came to med school thinking the heart is such a vital organ and cardiologists are so valued by their patients. My grandmother loved her cardiologist...

Ophthalmology is unique, but a few other specialties have similar gratifying elements and clinic time and cool gadgets.
I think you're pre med, so good luck with your application. The road is long, but definitely worth it whatever you choose to do 😉

 

[OphthoApp]

Isn't this tread a joke? This person said urologists do rectal surgery and is discussing DRE. Also the person said the reason to do it is Ophtho seems easy.... I don't know but seeing up to 90 patients a day in clinic isn't exactly easy...

 

[DrZeke]

Isn't this tread a joke? This person said urologists do rectal surgery and is discussing DRE. Also the person said the reason to do it is Ophtho seems easy.... I don't know but seeing up to 90 patients a day in clinic isn't exactly easy...

The person is a premed who I don't think has been accepted to med school yet. Which is why I changed the focus of the thread a bit.

 

[ophthope]

That's an appropriate description for urological surgeries too.

I kind of liked Urology actually. At least it ain't butts. Ultimately too close for comfort though.

Go into med school with an OPEN MIND. You may love what your surgery did for you, but may not enjoy the day to day of being an ophtho as much as another specialty.

Agreed. Or, don't go to medical school as that is also another viable option which everyone considering this path should seriously consider. Like DrZeke I didn't come into medical school thinking I wanted to be an Ophthalmologist. Far from it actually. But once you get in, you figure out what you like. You do however run the real risk of not really liking clinical medicine at all. No matter what field you go into, you'll be working way harder than the rest of your peers outside of medicine for a long, long time. And you'll be a whole lot poorer than them for a long time too, especially if they have career-tracked college degrees like Architecture or Engineering.

I will say I also know a few people who went to medical school specifically to become Ophthalmologists and they're doing fine and matched / are in Ophthalmology residencies just like they planned. It's just a gamble to go to medical school thinking there's only one thing you could really do. So I echo DrZeke - keep an open mind.

 

[mirabelle]

Isn't this tread a joke? This person said urologists do rectal surgery and is discussing DRE. Also the person said the reason to do it is Ophtho seems easy.... I don't know but seeing up to 90 patients a day in clinic isn't exactly easy...

I am perhaps not well informed but this post is not a joke. I just checked the definition...I still don't know all the specialties very well...I know some, but not all and not very well.
The day I shadowed the ophthalmologist, he had 9 or so surgeries and 2 special cases with no surgery. It wasn't a hard day and he said that he doesn't work at the clinic only but also at the hospital so you can imagine!

 

[mirabelle]

Ok so... Just to offer a different perspective since you're pre-med and haven't even learned how to examine patients yet or the feeling you get the first time you ever walk into a hospital....

There are things we all hate in medicine like rectals, or I'll admit I hated childbirth and delivering babies - I know I'm one of the rare few. I happened to enjoy general surgery a lot, but hated neurosurgery. I also thought ENT surgery was very cool. And I even really enjoyed family medicine because of the relationships you form with patients and clinic time.

I was not a bright eyed and bushy tailed med student like so many. I came to med school a bit cynical and jaded and am probably less so like that now... Which is weird...

Anyways, despite all that and despite each of us hating and loving different things about medicine, I have fond memories of certain experiences in medical school relating to patient care. I didn't come to med school thinking I wanted to be any type of doctor and there was something amazing about interviewing my first patient, or even putting my stethoscope on them. It was incredible walking into the smelly county hospital and being able to examine a patient at all as a "student-doctor". Going to health fairs and doing gyne exams or screening people for hypertension felt great too. Learning to draw blood... And so on.

I just finished an internal medicine preliminary year and I wouldn't really trade it for anything. I learned a lot and even though I was at the bottom of the totem pole I finally felt like a doctor. If things hadn't worked out for me and I had to do a different specialty, I think I would be alright, because I came to medical school to be a doctor.

On the other hand... I'm ecstatic to be training as an ophthalmologist and grateful for my match. Even though I know I know nothing on my 4th day of my 1st year, I am finally bright eyed and happy for every sign I can pick up in the exam, every differential diagnosis I can come up with myself on a consult and everytime I read something and it click I kinda jump for joy. LOL. I'm sure after many days of being on call I might feel different...

Or maybe it's like med school where everything new is exciting and I just wanna do it and try it? I dunno

Anyways the point of this long rant was... We all hate things in medicine, but many of us loved or enjoyed things about other fields too. Go into med school with an OPEN MIND. You may love what your surgery did for you, but may not enjoy the day to day of being an ophtho as much as another specialty. My first exposure to medicine was cardiology and I did cardiology research for a few years, and I came to med school thinking the heart is such a vital organ and cardiologists are so valued by their patients. My grandmother loved her cardiologist...

Ophthalmology is unique, but a few other specialties have similar gratifying elements and clinic time and cool gadgets.
I think you're pre med, so good luck with your application. The road is long, but definitely worth it whatever you choose to do 😉

Thank you very much for sharing your story and your advice and for your encouragement, I really appreciate ! I should be more open minded and patient!
All the best!

 

[mirabelle]

I kind of liked Urology actually. At least it ain't butts. Ultimately too close for comfort though.



Agreed. Or, don't go to medical school as that is also another viable option which everyone considering this path should seriously consider. Like DrZeke I didn't come into medical school thinking I wanted to be an Ophthalmologist. Far from it actually. But once you get in, you figure out what you like. You do however run the real risk of not really liking clinical medicine at all. No matter what field you go into, you'll be working way harder than the rest of your peers outside of medicine for a long, long time. And you'll be a whole lot poorer than them for a long time too, especially if they have career-tracked college degrees like Architecture or Engineering.

I will say I also know a few people who went to medical school specifically to become Ophthalmologists and they're doing fine and matched / are in Ophthalmology residencies just like they planned. It's just a gamble to go to medical school thinking there's only one thing you could really do. So I echo DrZeke - keep an open mind.

Thanks! 🙂

 

[peter2013]

No pelvic exams!

On a more serious note, make sure you sit down and honestly evaluate if you really want to go into medicine.

And by that I mean make sure that your talents, temperament and interests are best suited for medicine and that you spend a lot of time shadowing different physicians with the mindset of trying to figure out if medicine is right for you. I've met enough classmates and physicians who are unhappy mainly because: 1) medicine wasn't what they thought it would be and 2) because they had talents and interests better matched for careers outside of medicine. If at the end of the day you decide on medicine and get into medical school, then you can explore your options and by all means pursue ophthalmology if it still interests you and you think you'd be good at it. Ophthalmology is nice if you are interested in a lot of clinic time, fair amount of OR time performing microsurgeries, you find the eye interesting and you like life outside of medicine.

 

[mirabelle]

Isn't this tread a joke? This person said urologists do rectal surgery and is discussing DRE. Also the person said the reason to do it is Ophtho seems easy.... I don't know but seeing up to 90 patients a day in clinic isn't exactly easy...

Do you really see 90 patients/day? Is it typical? I imagine if one has his private clinic and doesn't share it with other ophthalmologists, it can be hard. You know when I said it was easy, I know that it is my pre-med, ignorant observation. I know that before one can operate on pts eyes, he had a lot to master and I know that it took an effort to be able to do that. But, you know, the expert always makes it look easy. And it looked somehow straightforward as he did surgery after surgery. I don't want people to think that ophthalmologists have an easy life, are lazy or anything... I know that it is a very competitive speciality so before getting there one has to good and I know that eye surgery involves a good dexterity... you don't wanna let a 3 yrs old to cut your eyes! Also, I noticed the fact that it takes a good self control (like in other surgeries) and in ophthalmology, the pts are not unconscious during the operation so the surgeon does his best to inform the pt of all the steps that he is taking and the nurses as well play a very important role in making the pts more confortable and less stressed. If you have anything to share about your own experience and perspective, you can share!

 

[mirabelle]

No pelvic exams!

On a more serious note, make sure you sit down and honestly evaluate if you really want to go into medicine.

And by that I mean make sure that your talents, temperament and interests are best suited for medicine and that you spend a lot of time shadowing different physicians with the mindset of trying to figure out if medicine is right for you. I've met enough classmates and physicians who are unhappy mainly because: 1) medicine wasn't what they thought it would be and 2) because they had talents and interests better matched for careers outside of medicine. If at the end of the day you decide on medicine and get into medical school, then you can explore your options and by all means pursue ophthalmology if it still interests you and you think you'd be good at it. Ophthalmology is nice if you are interested in a lot of clinic time, fair amount of OR time performing microsurgeries, you find the eye interesting and you like life outside of medicine.

Yes, that's true! I can't tell right know how I am going to feel in the futur. My mother is a family doctor and I see clearly that her job is not a source of joy ( at least not always). But she is good at it and she likes it, it kind of defines her ( you know after 20 yrs of practice). She has the motivation to help people, even if sometimes, especialy when me and my brothers were younger, she showed signs of mental fatigue...you know what I mean? Like someone who doesn't want people to ask him questions anymore, like leave me alone! But it wasn't always like that. In fact, she brings alot of joy to the family and she is the kind that makes jokes, laughs a lot...this attitude helps her but also the religion, she believes in God and she is always there to say how much He helps her...that helps too. She has amazing stories to share about her job, her patients , even if she also has some bad ones... I know that her patients love her. People buy her gifts, sometimes they sew dresses for her (and for me 🙂) for example. When they see her in the street, they talk for a long time...as if she always knew them. I know what I am saying, I was there many times! But I know that medicine is not for everyone, I hope that I'll be doing what is best for me and for my family and for the people.
Thank you for your answer!

 

[RestoreSight]

This is one rosy thread. Has anyone weighed in yet on the realities of medicine? Ophtho is def about patient care and the impact factor is tremendous, but med school is 4+ years and residency 4 years more plus a multi year fellowship (retina). Seriously consider that.

I've completed my first cataracts with good outcomes and it's very satisfying, but it's a long long road. Just saying to make sure you think it over. I think after ten thousand cataracts it might be less interesting. Just like everything in life things become routine. Plastic surgery is pretty cool, so is becoming an astronaut or marine biologist. Modern medicine isn't what it use to be. Patients are ultra-empowered and can make your life a living hell with a single complaint. It will happen to every doctor at some point. Declining reimbursements and constant battles for scope of practice with endless paperwork... Think carefully about it but for sure follow your dreams.

 

[mirabelle]

This is one rosy thread. Has anyone weighed in yet on the realities of medicine? Ophtho is def about patient care and the impact factor is tremendous, but med school is 4+ years and residency 4 years more plus a multi year fellowship (retina). Seriously consider that.

I've completed my first cataracts with good outcomes and it's very satisfying, but it's a long long road. Just saying to make sure you think it over. I think after ten thousand cataracts it might be less interesting. Just like everything in life things become routine. Plastic surgery is pretty cool, so is becoming an astronaut or marine biologist. Modern medicine isn't what it use to be. Patients are ultra-empowered and can make your life a living hell with a single complaint. It will happen to every doctor at some point. Declining reimbursements and constant battles for scope of practice with endless paperwork... Think carefully about it but for sure follow your dreams.

I know, I have to keep that in mind. I read some stories about malpractice suits and it is just horrible. I don't know if I can be a doctor one day and I don't know if I will avoid all the mistakes. I am scared already! I can't predict the futur and I don't know totally what is best for me as a job. I know that I was depressed once and I begun to see the world in black color and when I got out of all that, I thought of medicine. Sometimes things are rose and it's not a problem that's what I learn form all that I know of God and all that I see around me. Jean-Paul Sartre says the "L'enfer,c'est les autres" meaning "Hell is the other people" so wherever you go, people can make you want to run away.I don't want to be a doctor for the people only, I want to do it because it keeps me thinking about the solutions instead of the problems of this world. I hope that I have the talent that it takes.If not, I guess I'll do something else, I'll open a nursery or something, I don't know.
I just watched this video I think it is fantastic. Again, by watching only, it looks very easy to do!
All the best!

 

[KLPM]

I'm not sure if this thread is for real anymore.

 

[mirabelle]

I'm not sure if this thread is for real anymore.

Where did I lose you?

 

[DrZeke]

Mirabelle, I can't PM you... So, are you going to be going to med school in the US? Just noted some things you have typed tell me that you may be from somewhere else...

Just wondering because some of the conversation on here will be irrelevant to you if you aren't going to train in the USA or if you aren't going to attend med school there either.