Top 10 Reasons You Should Pursue a Career in Pediatric Ophthalmology

Why Pediatric Ophthalmology? Why Not?

Make a profound difference in childrens’ lives 

The vision that you save in childhood will serve your patients their whole lives! When conditions are treated appropriately, your patients will come back with dramatically better vision at each visit! 

Be a comprehensive physician for the pediatric population… 

Many comprehensive ophthalmologists don’t feel comfortable managing pediatric patients, so you have a “monopoly” on the market. You can manage all ocular issues from routine diagnoses to rare and complex disorders, and work as a team with other pediatric subspecialists. 

… But also care for patients of all ages 

Premature babies, neonates, infants, toddlers, and children to 18+ and adults with strabismus. 

Achieve your financial goals. 

Pediatric ophthalmologists can make a great living. While personal choices such as practice decisions can impact compensation, nearly half of pediatric ophthalmologists are making $500,000 or more annually. 

Pediatric ophthalmologists are a hot commodity! 

Pediatric ophthalmologists are in hot demand by both patients and employers. That means you can practice how you want, where you want, and create the professional lifestyle you desire. 

Pediatric ophthalmologists are happy - you should be, too! 

Ophthalmologists in general report a good quality of life, job satisfaction, and work-life balance. Our field tends to recruit and foster happy people, which is important for you and your colleagues. 

Plenty of opportunities for public health and international work. 

Pediatric ophthalmologists usually can find funding opportunities for community outreach both locally and especially abroad, where there is a significant need for care. 

Build relationships with patients and watch them grow and improve. 

Many pediatric ophthalmology issues, such as amblyopia, strabismus, glaucoma, ptosis, retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) have long-lasting impacts that require continued follow-up and allow you to foster strong relationships with patients and their families. 

Taking care of children is fun! 

You get to play games and use toys and stay young at heart.  Kids say and do the funniest things – you will always have great stories to share with friends and colleagues. 

You will never get bored. 

As a comprehensive specialist, you can treat wide variety of disorders in both the clinic and operating room. There is inpatient and outpatient work, academic or private practice, NICU ROP, and much more. 

Fewer after-hours and on-call responsibilities compared to other ophthalmology specialties. 

Compared to emergent retinal detachments and entrapped orbital floor fractures, there are relatively few amblyopia and strabismus emergencies, which means more time at home on nights and weekends!