Ophthalmologists are medical doctors who specialize in eye care. In order to become an ophthalmologist, you will need to complete a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree, followed by four years of medical school and three years of residency training.
During your undergraduate studies, you should take courses in biology, chemistry, physics, and math. You should also take courses in the humanities and social sciences. When choosing a college, look for one with a strong science program and a pre-med track.
Some students also choose to earn a Master of Science (MS) degree in a biomedical science before applying to medical school. While this is not required, it can strengthen your application and prepare you for the rigors of medical school.
Once you have completed your undergraduate and medical school education, you will need to complete a three-year residency in ophthalmology. During residency, you will receive supervised clinical training in all aspects of eye care, including:
* Refractive surgery
* Cataract surgery
* Glaucoma surgery
* Retina surgery
* Oculoplastics
* Neuro-ophthalmology
* Pediatric ophthalmology
After completing residency, you will be eligible to take the American Board of Ophthalmology (ABO) certification exam. Once you are certified by the ABO, you will be able to practice ophthalmology in the United States.
Some of the top schools for ophthalmology include:
* Harvard Medical School
* Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
* Stanford University School of Medicine
* Duke University School of Medicine
* University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine