Degree Course Type 

Diploma, Certificate, Others

Entry Level Qualification 

Class 10+2

Degree Course Duration 

6 Months, 1 Year, 2 Year

Course Fields 

Medical

Degree Course Entrance Exam 

NEET UG, NEET PG

Average Course Fee 

15000 - 1200000

Average Salary Offered 

300000 - 1200000

Course Details 

Considering ophthalmology is a vast and in-demand medical area, medical aspirants and professionals can find a range of different Ophthalmology courses to study in India at various levels. Some of these courses/programmes are listed in the following table:

Course Highlights 

Here are all of the important highlights related to ophthalmology courses for applicants to consider and pursue this course in India:

About Course 

The word ‘Ophthalmology’ has its origins in Greek with ‘ophthalmos’ meaning ‘eye’ and ‘logia’ meaning ‘study or discourse’. Thus, it is known as the ‘science of eyes’. 

Ophthalmology course graduates or ophthalmologists are specialists in medical and surgical eye illness who frequently function as both a physician and a surgeon to inspect, diagnose, and treat diseases and injuries in and around the eye. They frequently provide a thorough treatment plan for eye symptoms and disorders.

Why Choose Course And Required Skills 

​​​​​​​Students pursuing ophthalmology courses in India will benefit from exposure to a diverse range of clinical cases, as well as the opportunity to acquire abilities in both diagnostic and surgical procedures. Ophthalmologists in private practice often have a lesser workload, giving them more time to focus on each patient's unique needs.

Here are the five different ways in which ophthalmology courses can help aspirants benefit their future careers:

1. Medical treatments are constantly developing, making ophthalmology a fascinating and dynamic field. A degree in ophthalmology may be a suitable alternative for applicants who wish to improve people's health while also working with new technology and procedures.

2. Within this subject of study, there are numerous specialization options. Consider oculoplastic surgery, in which aspirants work with plastic surgery in the eye area. Other alternatives include glaucoma, medical retina, and pediatric eye problems.

3. Courses in ophthalmology help students develop a specific set of abilities, yet many of them are generally transferable. They learn how to solve problems, operate under pressure, and work well in multidisciplinary teams.

4. As the ophthalmology course is an occupational degree, the odds of finding professional employment soon after graduation are excellent.

5. Ophthalmology graduates have several job prospects all across the world. A degree and career in ophthalmology provide students with transferable abilities that can be used anywhere in the world.​​​​​​​

Eligibility  

Medical practitioners and aspirants should be aware that different levels of study in ophthalmology have varying eligibility and admission criteria for obtaining an ophthalmology degree.

Entrance Exams Details 

Here are a few well-known ophthalmology entrance exams used by prominent universities and institutes to assess qualified/eligible individuals for respective programs:

1. Aligarh Muslim University Entrance Exam (AMUEE)

2. All India Institute of Medical Sciences Entrance Exam

3. All India Institute of Optometrical Sciences Entrance Exam 

4. Bangalore University Entrance Exam

5. Bharati Vidyapeeth University: College of Optometry Entrance Exam

6. Deen Dayal Upadhyay Gorakhpur University Entrance Exam (DDU EE)

7. Banaras Hindu University Entrance Exam (BHU EE)

8. Indraprastha University Common Entrance Test (IPU CET)

9. Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College Entrance Exam

10. Mahatma Gandhi Medical College & Hospital – M.G University Entrance Exam

11. Manipal University Entrance Exam (MET)

12. National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET)

13. National Eligibility cum Entrance Test - PG (NEET-PG)

14. Osmania Medical College Entrance Exam

15. Punjab University Entrance Exam

16. Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences Entrance Exam (RGUHS EE)

17. Sardar Patel University Entrance Exam

18. The University College of Medical Sciences (UCMS) - University of Delhi Entrance Exam

19. University of Lucknow Entrance Exam

20. University of Rajasthan Entrance Exam

Degree Course Syllabus 

The following are the main subjects that applicants will study in this field of study at the bachelor's and master's levels:

1. Physiology of Eye and Vision

2. Diseases of Lens

3. Diseases of Cornea

4. Neuro-ophthalmology

5. Diseases of the Retina and Vitreous

6. Glaucoma

7. Diseases of Conjunctiva

8. Diseases of Sclera

9. Anatomy and Development of the Eye

10. Elementary and Physiological Optics

11. Errors of Refraction

12. Disorders of Ocular Motility

13. Ocular Pharmacology

14. Community Ophthalmology

15. Trauma and Emergency Ophthalmology

16. Disorders of the eyelids, orbit, lacrimal drainage apparatus 

17. Occuloplasty

18. Optic Nerve, etc.

Top Colleges 

Some of the most renowned colleges in India that are offering ophthalmology courses to medical aspirants are given in the table below: 

Popular Colleges Abroad to Study Ophthalmology Courses

For candidates who choose to study the course outside of India, there are numerous universities and institutes available. Here is a list of options for Ophthalmology students interested in studying abroad:

Course Fees 

The estimated annual fees for ophthalmology courses in India at various levels of study are as follows:

Top Recruiters And Salary 

Here is a list of top recruiters and job sectors where ophthalmology course graduates can be appointed on the job:

1. SIMS Healthcare Private Limited

2. Specialist Hospitals

3. Eye Group

4. Eye Institutes and Research Centres

5. Polyclinics

6. Nursing Homes

7. Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)

8. Government / Private Hospitals

9. Governmental Organisations

10. Educational Institutions

11. X-Ray and Ultrasound Centres

12. Pharmaceutical Companies

13. Fortis Healthcare Ltd

14. National Institute of Ophthalmology (NIO)

15. Dr R.P. Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences at AIIMS

16. L.V. Prasad eye hospital

17. Sheetla Eye Hospital

18. Violet Rays

The typical yearly average salaries of the various job roles in Ophthalmology are given below:

Course Scope And Career Options 

Ophthalmologists are in high demand in both the public and private sectors. This training also serves as a foundation for establishing one's eye clinic. There is an increasing need for ophthalmologists not only in India but also worldwide, in nations such as Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, and the Gulf States. After completing their residency study, students can seek fellowship studies in Ophthalmology subspecialties.

Ophthalmology is a specialized specialty of medicine with several job opportunities in commercial and government hospitals, health departments, health centers, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).​​​​​​​

Job Prospects 

Some of the famous job prospects and opportunities for Ophthalmology graduates are mentioned below:

Apart from the aforementioned job prospects, here is a list of some more job profiles for ophthalmology graduates:

Professor/Lecturer

ENT Specialist

Clinical Assistant

Medical Consultant

Admission Process 

Aspirants should be aware that admission to ophthalmology courses is strictly based on the aggregate marks obtained in class 12th/bachelor's degree/master's degree as well as the qualifying entrance exam scores accepted by universities or colleges. Medical students can start their application for ophthalmology courses both online and offline. Before applying, keep the following points in mind:

1. Students must visit the official website of the university or college and correctly fill out all of the required information/personal data in the student application form. After enrolling, applicants must wait for any relevant letters from the college/university.

2. Following online registration, applicants must visit the campus with all required documents, including all previous academic transcripts, mark sheets, certificates, ID verification, and photographs.

3. Candidates who wish to apply offline must get an application form from the college campus and fill it out accurately with the required information before submitting it.

4. Students will be admitted to their preferred colleges/universities based on their previous academic achievements, performance in extracurricular activities, and entrance exam qualifying scores. 

5. It is also vital to remember that admission will be granted only to those eligible students who meet all of the eligibility criteria and pass the college/cut-off marks.​​​​​​​