Day in the life
A Day in the Life of an Ophthalmologist
What ophthalmologists actually do from the start of a shift to the end: the tasks, tools, schedule and realities of the job.
What is a typical day like for an ophthalmologist?
Perform cataract surgeries. From there, the day usually includes examine eyes and diagnose disease, perform cataract surgery, and treat glaucoma. Most work regular hours with some on-call for eye emergencies.
Hour by hour: a typical shift
No two days are identical, but this timeline reflects a realistic day for an ophthalmologist working full time.
- Perform cataract surgeries.
- Give an eye injection for macular degeneration.
- See post-op patients.
- Evaluate glaucoma progression.
- Do a laser treatment.
- See an urgent eye injury.
- Review imaging.
Where ophthalmologists work
Ophthalmologists work in clinics, surgery centers and hospitals.
Hours and schedule
Most work regular hours with some on-call for eye emergencies.
Tasks you’ll do most often
- Examine eyes and diagnose disease
- Perform cataract surgery
- Treat glaucoma
- Manage retinal disease
- Perform laser procedures
- Treat eye injuries
- Prescribe medications and lenses
Tools you’ll use every day
- Slit lamps
- Operating microscopes
- Phacoemulsification systems
- Lasers
- OCT scanners
- Visual field machines
The best and hardest parts of the job
What people like
- Very high pay
- Life-changing surgeries
- Regular hours
- Advanced technology
What’s hard
- Competitive residency
- Long training
- Microsurgery pressure
- High patient volume
You’ll likely thrive if…
- I want to restore sight
- I have steady hands
- I like surgery and technology
- I want regular hours
- I want a high income
- I can commit to long training
Not sure? Take the free Ophthalmologist fit quiz or the Career Match Quiz.
Staying safe on the job
- Use sterile technique for injections and surgery
- Follow laser safety
- Irrigate chemical injuries immediately
- Verify correct eye before procedures