MD Ophthalmology is a three-year course. Ophthalmology is a specialization of Medicine and surgery dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of the eye-related disorder. MD Ophthalmology involves an advanced study of the eye’s anatomy, physiology and diseases.
The ophthalmology course contains core clinical training and elements including Orbital and Ocular Anatomy, Histology, Ocular Physiology, Ocular Pathology, Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology. It is critical that aspirants acquire knowledge about research methodology during the course, including record-keeping, to perform effective research inquiry with proper analysis and report writing.
The curriculum covers concepts and processes involved in solving problems related to eyes, such as glaucoma, iritis, eye trauma, orbital cellulite, tumours and other diseases affecting the human eye. Those who want to get special training in all aspects of eye care, including prevention, diagnosis and medical and surgical treatment of eye conditions and diseases.
MD Ophthalmology Highlights
Course Level |
Post Graduate |
Duration |
Three Years |
Qualification Required |
A Master’s degree in MS/DNB or equivalent. |
Examination Type |
Semester System |
Admission Procedure |
Counseling after taking Entrance Exam |
Top Recruiting Areas/Fields |
Research Institutes, Medical Colleges, Government Hospitals, Military Health care Services, Medical Labs, Private Hospitals, Healthcare Institutions, Private Clinic, etc. |
Job Positions |
Surgical, National Consultant, Technical Assistant, Senior Medical Advisor, Research Associate, Junior Research Scientist, Lecturer, Professor, Associate Lecturer, etc. |
Salary |
INR 3 Lac to 12 Lac |
Entrance Examinations |
NEET SS, AIIMS PG, PGIMER Entrance Exam, CMC Vellore PG, JIPMER PG, UPSEE, etc. |
Eligibility Criteria for MD Ophthalmology
1. MBBS Degree and its recognition of equivalence from the Medical Council of India (MCI).
2. NOC for Foreign Candidates from their respective Missions/Embassies and other relevant organizations and from WHO.
3. They must submit their one year Internship certificate. One year must be passed after their internship.
4. Training Certificates (if any) obtained from foreign institutions shall have to be acceptable to the University.
5. Age should not be over 45 years at the time of enrolment having to satisfy an interview board approved by the University.
Admission Process
1. Colleges publish notice of admission on their website from a period of June when most Indian universities would have finished degree exams.
2. Candidate to apply for each college, as each college considers each mark as the cut-off mark.
3. Some private colleges and deemed universities perform their counselling process by conducting their university-level entrance exams.
4. Some colleges require a minimum of 50% aggregate in the qualifying examination.
5. Candidates who qualify for the test are called for an interview before the final seat allotment.
Career after MD Ophthalmology
Employment opportunities for Ophthalmologist professionals are in sectors such as government and private hospitals, NGOs, and missionary hospitals in India and abroad. The average annual salary offered to such postgraduates ranges between INR 4 and 10 lacs, increasing with the candidate’s experience and skillsets.
Responsibilities of an Ophthalmologist broadly include eye disease prevention, refractive and optical services, diagnosis and management of eye diseases, and medical, surgical and rehabilitative services. Successful postgraduates of the course are hired in capacities such as Ophthalmologist, Hospital Administrator, Clinical research associate, Consultant, Professor etc.
MD Ophthalmology Syllabus
Semester I |
Semester II |
Anatomy and Physiology |
Ophthalmic Optics |
Embryology and Anatomy |
Elementary Optics |
Physiology of the Eye |
Elementary Physiological |
The Physiology of Vision |
Optics Refraction |
The Neurology of Vision |
Refractive Errors of the Eye |
Semester III |
Semester IV |
Ocular Examination Techniques and Ocular Therapeutics |
Diseases of the Eye |
Ocular Symptomatology |
Diseases of the Conjunctiva |
Assessment of Visual Function |
Diseases of the Cornea |
Examination of the Anterior Segment |
Diseases of the Sclera |
Examination of the Posterior Segment and Orbit |
Diseases of the Uveal Tract |
Ocular Therapeutics |
The Lens |
Ocular Microbiology |
The Glaucoma’s |
Diseases of the Optic Nerve |
Diseases of the Retina |
Intraocular Tumors |
Diseases of the Vitreous |
Semester V |
Semester VI |
Disorders of Motility |
Diseases of the Adnexa |
Anatomy and Physiology of the Motor Mechanism |
Diseases of the Lids |
Comitant strabismus |
Diseases of the Lacrimal Apparatus |
Incomitant Strabismus |
Diseases of the Orbit |