If you are fascinated by vision, eye disorders and their treatment, a career in Ophthalmology CRO may be right for you. Ophthalmologists work directly with patients to treat diseases or pain they experience related to their vision.
In this article, we explain the common tasks an ophthalmologist performs, the requirements needed to pursue this career, and how to become an ophthalmologist.
What does an ophthalmologist do?
An ophthalmologist is a doctor who specializes in the treatment, diagnosis and research of various eye and vision diseases. Some of the tasks that an ophthalmologist may perform on a regular basis include:
- Diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma
- Carrying out comprehensive eye examinations
- Performing cataract surgery
- Practicing eye exercises to help people with crossed eyes
- Completion of reconstruction operations
- The study of various neurological diseases that can affect vision
- Some of these tasks are considered subspecialties. In addition to the general education that ophthalmologists receive, they also receive subspecialty training.
Ophthalmologists have a variety of locations in which to choose to work. Some will work in a single-specialty group practice, while others will work in a multi-specialty group practice. They may also work in clinics, hospitals, in private practice, or may primarily conduct research in an academic setting. Most Ophthalmology CRO see about 100 patients a week to treat or diagnose their eye and vision disorders.
Ophthalmology CRO Requirements
Below is the education and training required to become an ophthalmologist:
- Bachelor’s degree with an impressive GPA
- Competitive Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) Score
- Approximately four years of medical school
- Passing two medical licensing exams in the United States
- Completing a one-year internship
- Successful completion of the 36-month stay
How to become an ophthalmologist
To become an ophthalmologist, follow these steps:
- Enroll in a four-year institution.
- Study for the MCAT.
- Apply to medical school.
- Apply to medical school.
- Pass the first part of the medical licensing exam in the United States.
- Start participating in rotations.
- Take the second part of the US Medical Licensing exam.
- Start your internship.
- Get training from a residency program.
- Discover your specialization.
- Start looking for a job.
1. Enroll in a four-year institution
To begin a career as an ophthalmologist, students must obtain a bachelor’s degree. There is no required field in which you must major, but it is highly recommended that you attend a school with a pre-med program to gain experience in the medical field early on. If your school doesn’t have a pre-media program, you should focus on a science-oriented field of study.
Studying in fields such as anatomy or biology allows you to take undergraduate courses that will prepare you for medical school courses.
While attending your bachelor’s degree, you should work to achieve a cumulative gpa of 3.5 or higher, as medical school admissions require high grades for admission to their programs.
2. Study for the MCAT
As an undergraduate, you will also study for the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT). This test is often offered to students participating in their junior or senior year of Ophthalmology CRO studies. Since admission to graduate school is often highly competitive, a high score on the MCAT can make your application more competitive.
The MCAT tests you on your general science knowledge, critical thinking and problem solving skills. There are many materials and resources available to study for this test. Study with other students hoping to enter the medical field and ask each other questions that might appear on the test. After completing the test, submit your score along with other required materials when you apply to medical school.
A competitive MCAT score is often a score of 25 or higher. For the schools you are applying to, you can find out the average MCAT scores that applicants typically receive.
3. Apply to medical school
At the end of your undergraduate program, you should research different medical schools and their qualifications. You can then gather the materials needed for the application process.
Medical school applications require the following materials:
- Letters of recommendation
- Cumulative 3.5 GPA in your undergraduate program
- Cumulative 3.5 GPA earned from all science courses and labs
- Strong MCAT scores
- Any extracurricular activities related to the medical field or related to leadership
4. Enroll in medical school
After being admitted to medical school, you will begin to learn more about medicine and get hands-on training. During the first year of medical school, students will closely study natural science subjects. You can spend time both in the lab and in the classroom.
Other subjects studied during the first few years of medical school are ethics in medicine, applicable law, and basic studies and concepts of clinical care. These first few years will often help prepare you for the upcoming medical licensing exam.
5. Pass the first part of the medical licensing exam in the United States
This test is usually taken during the first two years of medical school. Once you pass this test, you can participate in rotations to gain hands-on training and experience in the medical field.
Also read:- What Does Ophthalmology CRO Do?
The first part of the medical licensing exam in the United States will test you on the following subjects:
- Social Sciences
- Various disorders
- Abnormal and normal processes
- Therapeutics
- Epidemiology
- Tissues and systems
- Biostatics
6. Start participating in rotations
After passing the first part of the medical licensing exam, you should be ready to participate in rotations. During your rotations, you will work with a variety of doctors and physicians who will provide you with training and insight into the common tasks performed in medical practice. Here you can gain more knowledge and experience in various specializations in the medical field.
Rotations will give you more experience in the following medical specialties:
- Neurology
- Internal medicine
- Gynecology
- Pediatrics
- Surgery
- Family medicine
7. Take the second part of the U.S. exam. Medical Licensing
Once you’ve completed your rotations, you’ll be tested to make sure you’ve gained enough knowledge from your hands-on training. This test will test your experience in a clinical setting and ensure you are prepared to work in a hospital or clinic setting with little or no supervision.
8. Start your internship
After passing the exam, you will participate in a one-year internship. You will work directly with patients and your supervisor to learn more about how to diagnose, treat and regularly examine patients. Your internship is often the final stage of your introduction to various medical fields. Once you have completed your year-long internship, you can continue your residency program in Ophthalmology.
9. Take training in a residency program
You will now spend 36 months in the residency program and gain hands-on experience in ophthalmology. You will work directly with patients to treat and diagnose their wounds, disorders and illnesses. In addition to the experience you gain, you can also attend other Ophthalmology CRO lectures or courses to learn more about cures for various diseases and disorders.
10. Discover your specialty
Your experiences during your residency should have helped you realize your specialty in ophthalmology. Possible majors in ophthalmology include:
- Ophthalmological plastic surgery
- Corneal diseases
- Pediatric Ophthalmology
- Retinal disease
- Neuroophthalmology
- Ophthalmological pathology
11. Start looking for a job
Once you have completed your Vial education and training, you can start looking for work and applying for positions within your field of specialization. Some ophthalmologists are often hired at their current hospital or clinic where they received their specialty training. Others choose a different work environment. Previous supervisors may refer you to other hospitals or clinics. They may also have resources to help you find offices or hospitals that are hiring.
