what other specialties were/are you considering and why?

[eyesurg2012]

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Hello Everyone!
I'm in the process of solidifying ophthalmology as my specialty choice but for some reason I keep having cold feet. I know there are a lot of people out there who knew from day 1 that ophthalmology was for them.
For others who had to narrow down to ophthalmology, what other specialties were you considering and what were the true reasons you picked ophthalmology over them?
THanks Guys!

 

[BuckleExtrusion]

Hello Everyone!
I'm in the process of solidifying ophthalmology as my specialty choice but for some reason I keep having cold feet. I know there are a lot of people out there who knew from day 1 that ophthalmology was for them.
For others who had to narrow down to ophthalmology, what other specialties were you considering and what were the true reasons you picked ophthalmology over them?
THanks Guys!

You should consider dermatology. Take all the things that people say about ophthalmology (i.e. can see diagnoses/things for themselves, good lifestyle, good pay, surgical blah blah blah etc etc) and substitute the word dermatology. You will notice that it works just fine. 😉

 

[MstaKing10]

I have a derm buddy who considers himself a surgeon...c'mon, seriously? Derm as a surgical sub-specialty?? I don't think so. Punch biopsies, MOHS, and throwing a suture here and there does not a surgeon make in my opinion.

If you do want to do a surgical sub-specialty, consider ENT. I had a tough time deciding between the two but so glad I went with ophtho.

Non surgical specialties such as derm and rads certainly have the pay/quality of life aspect that many are looking for and are usually considered by those applying to ophtho.

 

[eyesurg2012]

Thanks SO much for the reply! I think that both ENT and ophtho are very interesting- great patients, med/surg mix etc
One question though-what was it about ophthalmology that made you pick it over ENT?

 

[BuckleExtrusion]

Thanks SO much for the reply! I think that both ENT and ophtho are very interesting- great patients, med/surg mix etc
One question though-what was it about ophthalmology that made you pick it over ENT?

He didn't like the smell of ear wax.

 

[MR1]

Thanks SO much for the reply! I think that both ENT and ophtho are very interesting- great patients, med/surg mix etc
One question though-what was it about ophthalmology that made you pick it over ENT?

I thought strongly about ENT.

Main things that pushed me ophtho.
Shorter surgeries, I can't do >4 hour cases, esp those 12+ neck cases.
Cleaner, no nose or ears, the eyes are just cleaner.
More clinic, I actually like seeing patients in clinic.
Ophtho is less competitive than ENT, knew I'd have a better chance.
Our surgeries are so rewarding, who else can restore sight
Call is easier (not easy mind you)
Fancy toys we get to play with

 

[Visionary]

I have a derm buddy who considers himself a surgeon...c'mon, seriously? Derm as a surgical sub-specialty?? I don't think so. Punch biopsies, MOHS, and throwing a suture here and there does not a surgeon make in my opinion.

Hey, there are a lot of general surgeons and the like who would say the same about ophthalmology! How many sutures does an ophthalmologist really throw nowadays (exception: oculoplastics)? I still remember being called an "eye dentist" during my trauma surgery rotations. Of course, now I'm even less of a "surgeon." All I do is stick needles in eyes and laser the retina! 😎

 

[MstaKing10]

Hey, there are a lot of general surgeons and the like who would say the same about ophthalmology! How many sutures does an ophthalmologist really throw nowadays (exception: oculoplastics)? I still remember being called an "eye dentist" during my trauma surgery rotations. Of course, now I'm even less of a "surgeon." All I do is stick needles in eyes and laser the retina! 😎

Agreed, but if surgery was a continuum, I would put ophthalmologists much closer to general surgeons than to dermatologists.