Ophthalmologist
Medical eye specialist trained in surgical eye procedures and extensive eye care.
Overview
An Ophthalmologist is a medical healthcare professional who specializes in surgical eye procedures and extensive eye care.
Where they work
- Clinics
- Hospitals
- Nursing homes
- Medical Colleges
- Research Institutes
Work environment
It is a desk job. You will need to handle a team of nurses and other medical staff. Local travel is not a part of this job role. Part-time work and contractual jobs are available. Hospitals and clinics usually work for 6 to 7 days. You are likely to work 9 to 10 hours 6 days a week. This may vary from clinic to clinic. Shift system may be available. Entrepreneurship: you can set up your own private practice.
Opportunities for work exist for differently abled in this field.
Skills and interests
This career might suit you if…
- You enjoy Science
- You have interest in understanding how the human functions
- You pay attention to details while working
Eligibility and education roadmap
Please check the duration of the course during enrolment.
Route 1
- 1Complete 10 + 2 in Science stream (Physics, Chemistry and Biology)
- 2Complete an undergraduate degree in Medicine & Surgery (M.B.B.S.)
- 3Complete an M.B.B.S. followed by M.D./M.S. in Ophthalmology. Then you can opt for a fellowship or Doctorate degree.
Alternative route 2
- 1Complete an MBBS followed by a Diplomate in Ophthalmologist.
- 2For admissions, you can appear for entrance exams such as NEET (National Eligibility Entrance exam) for M.B.B.S., NEET-PG (Post Graduate Medical Entrance after MBBS), INI CET (National Importance Combined Entrance Test) for admission into MD (Doctorate of Medicine) Program.
Forms, exams and applications
NEET for M.B.B.S.; NEET-PG and INI CET for postgraduate medical study. Check the official notification for current eligibility and dates.
Exam names above are as printed in the source card. Application windows, eligibility and syllabi change — always check the official notification for current dates.
Where to apply
The course is offered by the Department of Ophthalmology. This list of institutes is indicative only.
Government institutes
- University of Rajasthan, Jaipur, Rajasthan
- University of Calcutta, Kolkata, West Bengal
- Punjabi University, Patiala, Punjab
- Jiwaji University, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh
- AIIMS Delhi, New Delhi
- AIIMS Rishikesh, Uttarakhand
- AIIMS Rohtak, Haryana
- Shivaji University, Kolhapur, Maharashtra
Private institutes
Please check if the institute is affiliated and accredited before applying.
- CMC Vellore, Tamil Nadu
- Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh
- Parul University, Vadodara, Gujarat
- Kasturba Medical College (KMC), Manipal, Karnataka
- Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
- St. John's Medical College, Bangalore, Karnataka
- JSS Medical College, Mysore, Karnataka
- Siksha 'O' Anusandhan University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha
These institute lists are indicative examples from the source card, not a ranked or complete directory. Always verify accreditation on the institute's official website.
Career outcomes
Growth path
- 1Intern
- 2Junior Doctor
- 3Ophthalmologist
- 4Senior Ophthalmologist
- 5Head of the Department
- 6Medical Director/Superintendent
Expected income
₹83,000 – ₹1,60,000 per month
These figures are taken from NCS and are indicative and subject to change.
SourceRelated careers to explore
Optometrist
Examines eyes for vision problems, prescribes glasses and lenses, and refers serious cases on.
Surgeon
Doctor who treats conditions by operating — as a general surgeon or in a surgical speciality.
Student action plan
What you can do this month
- Read this whole roadmap and note any subjects, exams or institutes you don't recognise yet.
- Talk to a teacher or school counsellor about how your current subjects connect to Science.
- Look for a school club, competition or online course related to helping people.
- Shortlist 2–3 institutes from the list above and check their official website for current admission details.
- Save this career and compare it with 1–2 others you're considering.
Example from the field
Dr. Alpa Patel Nisarta — An eye specialist and Director of Aaditya Eye & Children Hospital. She completed her MBBS from Baroda Medical College and DNB from Diva Eye Institute. After that she went for further studies in cornea and refractive surgery. She completed her fellowship from V.S. General Hospital.
SourceThis profile is shared for training/educational purposes only, as printed in the source card.
Sources and update notice
- Career card source: Exploring Career Paths with Career Cards, Volume 1, printed page 385 (NCERT / UNICEF India / PSSCIVE Bhopal, First Edition, April 2025).
- Income source: https://bit.ly/3IB394H
- Last reviewed on this site: 2026-08-21
The card's private-institute list includes Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, which is a state-government institute; the card's own government/private split is otherwise reproduced as printed.
Eligibility, fees, exam patterns and admissions change often. Always verify current details on official institute, exam-body or government websites before making decisions.