How to Become a Neuro-Ophthalmologist

A neuro-ophthamologist is a doctor who specializes in diseases of the eye that are not related simply to the structures of the eye. They are also or primarily related to the enervation of the eye--the nerves of the eye. The conditions that they deal with are diseases such as multiple sclerosis and brain tumors that influence the movements of the eye. This is a highly specialized field.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

1. Attend a college that has a good reputation for placing graduates in medical schools. Work very hard in college to maintain a high grad point average. In your junior year, take the Medical College Admission Test. Apply to at least four medical schools.
2. Take electives in both opt homology and neurology during your third and fourth years in medical school. In your third year, begin looking at residency programs in either opt-homology or neurology.
3. Rank your residency programs (in one of the two specialty areas), applying to at least three residency programs. Participate in the residency matching program and match with one of the three programs.
4. Finish your four year training program in either opt-homology or neurology. In the third year of your training, decide if you want to then go on to become double boarded or whether you want to take a shorter path and seek a one year fellowship in neuro-ophthalmology.
5. Apply for an additional residency in either ophthalmology or neurology, or a fellowship in neuro-ophthalmology. Complete these further post-graduate training programs.
6. Pass board certification and become board certified in the fields where you qualify--either ophthalmology, neurology or both.

Tips & Warnings

• Becoming board certified and fully trained in both ophthalmology and neurology is probably only necessary if you plan on a career in academics.

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