Ophthalmology
Ophthalmologists are doctors who care for patients with eye conditions.
They diagnose, treat and prevent disorders of the eyes and visual system, using medical and surgical skills.
Life as an ophthalmologist
You’ll look for possible links with other conditions within the body. You’ll treat patients from premature babies to the most senior members of the community. They will generally be well, without life-threatening conditions, but eye conditions are common and can cause anxiety. You’ll need to be sympathetic and reassuring.
You’ll be involved in a mix of medical and surgical work and will treat a range of conditions from common issues such as cataracts, glaucoma or squints through to infectious eye disease and chronic diseases such as age-related macular degeneration (deterioration of the macula, the central area of the retina).
You’ll run specialty, general or acute clinics, work in treatment clinics using lasers and other technology or in a specialist eye theatre, performing operations such as cataract surgery. You will regularly work with a range of other clinical specialists.
You’ll mainly work regular hours, with occasional out-of-hours work to cover eye emergencies.
A surge in exciting new technology and treatments in recent years means you’ll be able to manage patients with eye diseases in a much more effective way and use the latest surgical procedures to perform day case operations. You’ll often be able to see the effects of your treatment almost immediately.
How much can I earn?
You’ll first earn a salary when you start your foundation training after medical school. Find out details of current salary ranges for foundation and specialty training, SAS doctors and consultants on the 'Pay for doctors' page.
How about the benefits?
- make a difference
- flexible and part-time working
- high income early in your career
- work anywhere in the world
- excellent pension scheme
- good holiday entitlement
- NHS discounts in shops and restaurants
Must-have skills
- excellent communication skills to manage a wide range of relationships with colleagues, and patients and their families
- emotional resilience, a calm temperament and the ability to work well under pressure
- teamwork and the capacity to lead multidisciplinary teams
- problem-solving and diagnostic skills
- outstanding organisational ability and effective decision-making skills
- first-class time and resource management for the benefit of patients
- a high degree of manual dexterity
- superb hand-eye co-ordination, excellent vision, and visuospatial awareness
- physical stamina to cope with the demands of surgery
Entry requirements
Your first step is medical school. Typically, you’ll need excellent GCSEs and three A or A* passes at A level including chemistry for a five-year undergraduate degree in medicine. Many medical schools also ask for biology and others may require maths or physics.
If you already have a degree, you could study for a four-year postgraduate degree in medicine.
You’ll need to pass an interview and admissions test. You’ll be asked to show how you demonstrate the NHS values such as compassion and respect.
Some medical schools look to recruit a mix of students from different backgrounds and geographical areas, so your educational and economic background and family circumstances could be considered as part of your application.
"Ophthalmology appealed to me because it combines medicine and microsurgery and is also one of the few specialisms where you can see the effects of treatment almost immediately."
Read Kavita's story.
What are my chances of starting a career in ophthalmology?
In 2020 there were 430 applications for 75 specialty training places (a competition ratio of 5.73).
How to become an ophthalmologist
After medical school, you’ll join the paid two-year foundation programme where you’ll work in six placements in different settings.
After your foundation programme, you can apply for paid specialty training to become an ophthalmologist, which will take a minimum of seven years.
You may be able to train part time, for example for health reasons or if you have family or caring responsibilities.
Where a career in ophthalmology can take you
You could:
- specialise or conduct research in areas such as eye development and diseases in children, retinal disease and its onset in patients with conditions like diabetes, or oculoplastic surgery (plastic surgery around the eye)
- teach medical students or postgraduate students in training
- get involved in research at universities, the NHS or private sector
-
Ophthalmology Specialty Doctor
Sidcup, DA14 6LT
- Salary :
- £59175.00 to £95400.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
-
Specialty Doctor - Ophthalmology in Glaucoma
Birmingham, B18 7QH
- Salary :
- £61542.00 to £99216.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust
-
Receptionist - Ophthalmology
Norwich, NR4 7UY
- Salary :
- £24465.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital
-
Registered Nurse - Ophthalmology
Rochdale, OL16 2UP
- Salary :
- £41673.55
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Practice Plus Group
-
Registered Nurse - Ophthalmology
Preston, PR5 6BZ
- Salary :
- £41673.55
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Practice Plus Group
-
Ophthalmology service manager
Huddersfield, HD3 3EA
- Salary :
- £47810.00 to £54710.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust
-
Ophthalmology Medical Photographer
Middlesbrough, TS4 3BW
- Salary :
- £27485.00 to £30162.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
-
Consultant Pharmacist - Ophthalmology
Liverpool, L7 8YE
- Salary :
- £76965.00 to £88682.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
-
Ophthalmology Booking Clerk
Newport, NP20 2UB
- Salary :
- £25313.00 to £26999.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Aneurin Bevan University Health Board
-
Healthcare Assistant - Ophthalmology
Preston, PR5 6LF
- Salary :
- £23809.50
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Practice Plus Group
-
Highly Specialist Pharmacist - Ophthalmology
Preston, PR2 9HT
- Salary :
- £55690.00 to £62682.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
-
Senior Pharmacist – Ophthalmology & Surgery
Kingston, KT2 7QB
- Salary :
- £59490.00 to £66239.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Kingston and Richmond NHS Foundation Trust
-
Patient Pathway Coordinator - Ophthalmology
Carshalton, SM5 1AA
- Salary :
- £32199.00 to £34876.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust
-
Bank Registered Nurse - Ophthalmology
Preston, PR5 6BZ
- Salary :
- £35.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Practice Plus Group
-
Senior Healthcare Assistant Ophthalmology
Kidderminster, DY116RJ
- Salary :
- £24937.00 to £26598.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust
-
OPHTHALMOLOGY STAFF NURSE BAND 5
LONDON, NW10 7NS
- Salary :
- £35763.00 to £43466.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust
-
Registered Nurse - Ophthalmology- Band 5
Cheltenham, GL537AN
- Salary :
- £31049.00 to £37796.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
-
Advanced Clinical Practitioner - Paediatric Ophthalmology
Frimley, GU16 7UJ
- Salary :
- £55877.00 to £62626.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust
-
Audio Typist / Admin Support - Ophthalmology
Harrogate, HG2 7SX
- Salary :
- £24465.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust
-
Healthcare Support Worker -Ophthalmology V
Bournemouth, BH7 7DW
- Salary :
- £24465.00 to £26598.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust
-
Senior Sister/Charge Nurse - ENT/Ophthalmology
Bradford., BD9 6RJ
- Salary :
- £47810.00 to £54710.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
-
Band 7 Senior Charge Nurse Ophthalmology
London, N19 5NF
- Salary :
- £53751.00 to £60651.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust
-
Registered Nurse - Ophthalmology Eye Surgery Unit
Torquay, TQ2 7AA
- Salary :
- £31049.00 to £37796.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust
-
Senior Staff Nurse (Ophthalmology - PCEU Windsor)
Windsor, SL4 3DP
- Salary :
- £38682.00 to £46580.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust
-
Trust Clinical Fellow (StR higher) in Ophthalmology
Plymouth, PL6 8DH
- Salary :
- £65048.00 to £73992.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
-
Registered Nurse - Ophthalmology Theatre Day Case - RGH
Newport, NP20 2UB
- Salary :
- £31516.00 to £38364.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Aneurin Bevan University Health Board
-
Band 6 Sister/Charge Nurse Ophthalmology Outpatients
Salisbury, SP2 8BJ
- Salary :
- £38682.00 to £46580.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust
-
Corneal & External Eye Disease Fellow in Ophthalmology
Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 4LP
- Salary :
- £65048.00 to £73992.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
-
Senior Clinical Fellow Ophthalmology Paediatric and Strabismus ST3+
Westcliff on sea, SS0 0RY
- Salary :
- £44170.00 to £67610.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust
-
Consultant Ophthalmologist
Torquay, TQ2 7AA
- Salary :
- £105504.00 to £139882.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust
-
Locum Consultant Ophthalmologist - Glaucoma
Hull, HU3 2JZ
- Salary :
- £105504.00 to £139882.00
- Type :
- Locum
- Employer :
- Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
-
Consultant Ophthalmologist Medical Retina
Watford, WD18 0HB
- Salary :
- £105504.00 to £139882.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
-
Consultant Ophthalmologist Medical Retina
Watford, WD18 0HB
- Salary :
- £105504.00 to £139882.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
-
Locum Consultant Ophthalmologist - Oculoplastic
Carlisle, CA2 7HY
- Salary :
- £105504.00 to £139882.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust
-
Consultant Ophthalmologist - Medical Retina
Hull, HU3 2JZ
- Salary :
- £105504.00 to £139882.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
-
Consultant Ophthalmologist in Paediatrics
Watford, WD18 0HB
- Salary :
- £105504.00 to £139882.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
-
Locum Consultant Ophthalmologist - Oculoplastic
Blackpool, FY3 8NR
- Salary :
- £105504.00 to £139882.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
-
Locum Consultant Ophthalmologist - Interest in Glaucoma
Bournemouth, BH7 7DW
- Salary :
- £109725.00 to £145478.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust
-
Consultant Ophthalmologist with Interest in Glaucoma
Truro, TR1 3LJ
- Salary :
- £105504.00 to £139882.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust
-
Consultant Ophthalmologist with Interest in Paediatrics & Strabismus
Bournemouth, BH7 7DW
- Salary :
- £109725.00 to £145478.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust
-
Consultant Ophthalmologist w/ special interest in Glaucoma
Boston, PE21 9QS
- Salary :
- £105504.00 to £139882.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust
-
Locum Consultant Ophthalmologist with Interest Med Ret & Uveitis
London, SE5 9RS
- Salary :
- £109725.00 to £145478.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
-
Locum Consultant Ophthalmologist with specialist interest in Cornea
Chelmsford, CM1 7ET
- Salary :
- £105504.00 to £139882.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust
-
Locum Consultant Ophthalmologist with specialist interest in Glaucoma
London, SE1 7EH
- Salary :
- £109725.00 to £145478.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust
-
Dermatology Doctor
Swindon, SN3 3RB
- Salary :
- £550.00
- Type :
- Bank
- Employer :
- CHEC
-
Dermatology Doctor
Wandsworth, SW18 4WW
- Salary :
- £550.00
- Type :
- Bank
- Employer :
- CHEC
-
Specialty Doctor
Leeds, LS12 3QE
- Salary :
- £70901.00 to £99216.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
-
ENT Doctor
Worthing, BN11 3BN
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Bank
- Employer :
- CHEC
-
Dermatology Doctor
London, SE14 6BL
- Salary :
- £550.00
- Type :
- Bank
- Employer :
- CHEC
-
Hospice Doctor
SCARBOROUGH, YO12 5RE
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Saint Catherine’s Hospice
-
Hospice Doctor
SCARBOROUGH, YO12 5RE
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Saint Catherine’s Hospice
-
ENT Doctor
Canterbury, CT1 1BN
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Bank
- Employer :
- CHEC
-
Dermatology Doctor
Slough, SL1 2EJ
- Salary :
- £550.00
- Type :
- Bank
- Employer :
- CHEC
-
Dermatology Doctor
Slough, SL1 2EJ
- Salary :
- £550.00
- Type :
- Bank
- Employer :
- CHEC
-
Dermatology Doctor
Leicester, LE1 2BU
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- CHEC
-
Speciality Doctor
Lichfield, WS14 9LH
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- St Giles Hospice
-
Specialty Doctor
London, SE5 8UH
- Salary :
- £59175.00 to £95400.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust
-
Dermatology Doctor
Canterbury, CT1 1BN
- Salary :
- £550.00
- Type :
- Bank
- Employer :
- CHEC
-
Speciality Doctor
Workington, CA14 2AL
- Salary :
- £105000.00 to £115000.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Humankind Charity
-
Dermatology Doctor
Worthing, BN11 3BN
- Salary :
- £550.00
- Type :
- Bank
- Employer :
- CHEC
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The Royal College of Ophthalmologists has further information about being an ophthalmology doctor, particularly as your career progresses. Take a look.
And hear from people working in ophthalmology:
A consultant ophthalmologist (BMJ)
A consultant in ophthalmology talking about their specialty (HEWM)