WARNING! WATCH BEFORE DOING OPHTHALMOLOGY | 5 REASONS NOT TO DO OPHTHALMOLOGY

5 Reasons not to do ophthalmology. In this video I give you reasons that you may want to consider not pursuing ophthalmology. If you’re trying to decide which medical specialty or how to choose a medical specialty this video will give you a few things to think about from the perspective of an ophthalmology resident physician. Overall I think ophthalmology is great but there are a few parts about ophthalmology that not all doctors med students or residents like. Ophthalmology is awesome because of its breadth and variance of practice despite its focus on just the eye. We do clinic, operating room, lasers, and minor procedures which are all great but there are downsides to ophthalmology just like any specialty. Hopefully you will consider these aspects of ophthalmology and hopefully they won’t deter you away from applying for ophthalmology and becoming an ophthalmology resident. I hope you get value from the video!!!!

[aka]

This definitely helped me want to be a ophthalmologist even more

[skoldpadda]

I've been practicing ophthalmology for 21 years. This is a very good summary of considerations. The patients you choose to treat aren't generally "completely healthy" otherwise though. They are generally elderly with significant comorbidities. A lot of folks walking around with hypertension and diabetes. But you're doing a plastics rotation with lots of elective procedures in middle aged and younger patients so your view is a bit skewed perhaps. Or mine is since I primarily do a lot of cataract and glaucoma surgery based procedures and those patients trend older. Nice mention of Kelman. Historical aspects of ophthalmology are fun and interesting.

[olinblair]

Would love to see a follow up video on why to go into ophthalmology! Great video.

[TimRoot-dotcom]

Great video and good summary. The clinic volume is the hardest for me as a practicing ophthalmologist. Seeing 70 patients in a day can wear you out. Still, I think this is the coolest field of medicine and am grateful that I can treat eyes for a living.

[jessicabotero]

I worked as a tech for an ophthalmologist and let me tell y’all that he was like a machine. Non stop seeing patients all day everyday and constantly trying to provide the best eye care. It looked so mentally exhausting to do and felt like he would burn out but he was so passionate about what he did. I really admire ophthalmologists because I would never imagine myself doing what they do.

[jackfitzpatrick]

My 85 year old Dad had a neurological disorder that resembled Alzheimer's. He also had retinal issues which required many visits to a top Ophthalmology group in Boston. His doctor was a senior staff member who happened to have grown up in Appalachia. During one laser session my Dad, who had hearing problems and general confusion, couldn't keep his eye still. But his doctor kept trying...and as he was working he whispered to me, in a light hearted way, "this is like shooting squirrels back home".

I'll never forget that.

[TheAZCOMEDY]

This video just really helped me confirm that ophthalmology is for me, appreciate this - thanks Dr. Keenum!

[KealeCade]

Can you please make a video on getting into ophtho? Like step scores (1 and 2 ), research, networking, application builders, what you did, etc.

[matthewt]

Awesome content! Really useful as a rising fourth-year student applying into ophtho. Would love to see a video on patient presentations in ophtho. Would be super helpful before starting ophtho rotations and aways this spring. Keep up the great work!

[dr.rezaalmasi]

I'm an orthopedic surgery resident and I'm switching to ophthalmology. I found your explanation very useful. Thank you

[ophtimisticbaker]

I’m an Ophthalmologist and Glaucoma specialist and now I’m a Stay at home mom. Stumble on your video after put my kid into bed. Gosh, now I miss my practice and OR so much 🥲

[kman]

I'm a senior in highschool trying to figure out what to do with my life lol. I'm probably going to a community college for two years to save money but am very interested in going to med school. Thanks doc.

[antibull]

1) procedure heavy
A) if you dont like procedures dont do it... good thing i enjoy hands on.
2) dislike clinic (fast pace workspace?)
3) treating mostly healthy patients
A) other comments mention that this depends on what youre doing... cataract sufferers will tend to be older id imagine.
4) giving up large areas of medicine to focus on the eye
A)... isnt that the point of choosing a specialty? Eyes are the single most important organs on the body, excluding vitals.
5) volatility of the specialty (new tech)
A) being able to handle adapting to different things is an important factor of being a doctor. By this measure, an Ophthalmologist would be more of a “doctor” than a Pediatric doctor (as his point 4 explained what a “doctor” is).

[hermie]

Thank god! that all of those reasons were the things I liked about ophthalmology..!

[missmedic]

Opthalmology is very competitive here in the Uk. Personally I love it.

[eyedaddy]

This should be called, 5 things we like about ophtalmology :). Nice video, wish you all the best mate.

[salvia_salmon]

Ive never even got into medschool yet, but if I'm going to take a speciality . I really want to be an opthalmologist (unless i find another unknown speciality that strikes me) .. all those reasons you've said, i don't mind .. made me further love that field.. still not saying it won't be hard . A loooong way to goooo😵

[shilpav]

Thankyou.this is a perspective not many give.

[GG-yyyx]

Thank you! I️ just got into med school and start in the fall and have been wanting to get info on specialties as I️ think about options I’d like to pursue. Videos like these have been godsends.

[jacintosaenz]

YEAAAHH BOY IM GOING TO FOCUS ON OPHTHALMOLOGY.