Navy Officer Subspecialty · Medical
OPHTH Ophthalmology
An officer subspecialty earned alongside a primary designator, marking advanced education or experience in this field.
Overview
An ophthalmologist examines, diagnoses, and treats routine and emergency patients with vision problems and eye diseases. The physician prescribes medication, performs surgery, fits corrective lenses, or provides specialized care in a trained ophthalmology subspecialty.
Core Skills
- eye examination
- ocular disease diagnosis
- vision correction prescribing
- ophthalmic medication management
- microsurgical procedure
- emergency eye care
- retinal and cornea assessment
- patient counseling
- clinical documentation
Civilian Software & Tools
- eClinicalWorks EHR software
- Epic Systems
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Allscripts PM
- athenahealth athenaCollector
- Automatic Data Processing AdvancedMD EHR
- Benchmark Systems Benchmark Clinical EHR
Civilian Career Paths
- Physician
- Surgery
- Optometry
- Training and Education
Training & Development
Getting Started
- Basic Life Support (BLS)
Career Growth
- American Board of Ophthalmology Board Certification
- Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS)
Also Common
- Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Registration
- State Medical License (MD/DO)
What the Work Involves
- Perform comprehensive examinations of the visual system to determine the nature or extent of ocular disorders.
- Provide or direct the provision of postoperative care.
- Diagnose or treat injuries, disorders, or diseases of the eye and eye structures including the cornea, sclera, conjunctiva, or eyelids.
- Develop or implement plans and procedures for ophthalmologic services.
- Prescribe or administer topical or systemic medications to treat ophthalmic conditions and to manage pain.
Related Occupations
- Pediatric Surgeons
- Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric
- Cardiologists
- Dermatologists
Typical preparation for these civilian roles: graduate-level education or extensive experience.
Equivalent Roles in Other Branches
Descriptions may be summarized for clarity. Verify all information with your branch career counselor or official military documentation before making career decisions.
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