List of Egyptian Universities Offering Ophthalmology

Ophthalmology is one of the critical disciplines in medicine. There are universities in Egypt that offer ophthalmology at either undergraduate, postgraduate or both levels.

Ophthalmology is a very lucrative course in medicine and in this post, we’ll look at the career opportunities that are available for ophthalmology graduates in Egypt, and the requirements for becoming an ophthalmologist in Egypt.

Ophthalmology is a healthcare profession that is autonomous, educated and highly regulated. It is highly regulated because you need to register and be licensed before you can practice ophthalmology.

Ophthalmology is a blend of medicine and surgery. an Ophthalmologist is a medical doctor who specializes in eye and vision care. Ophthalmologists diagnose and treat all eye diseases, performs eye surgery and prescribes and fits eyeglasses and contact lenses to correct vision problems.

What is Ophthalmology?

Ophthalmology is a branch of medicine and surgery that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the eyes. Ophthalmology is a six years medical school programme, followed by a one-year internship.

Ophthalmologists are allowed to use medication to treat eye problems, implement laser therapy and perform surgery when needed. They may also participate in academic research on the diagnosis and treatment of eye diseases.

Some ophthalmologists are trained to treat all eye problems nd conditions, while some sub-specializes in a specific medical or surgical eye care after completing one or two years of additional, more in-depth training. Such areas of sub-specialty include glaucoma, retina, cornea, etc.

Ophthalmologists work closely with other eye care professionals like optometrists and opticians for quality and efficient eye care delivery.

What Ophthalmologists do

As stated earlier, ophthalmology is a blend of both medicine and surgery. As an ophthalmologist you’ll need to:

• assess and examine patients in order to make a diagnosis
• Provide pre and post-operative care to patients after surgery.
• manage busy general outpatient clinics, emergency eye clinics and specialist clinics
• do occasional ward rounds (most ophthalmic patients have day surgery and don’t stay in hospital overnight)
• work as part of a multidisciplinary team that includes optometrists, orthoptists and nurses, as well as with specialists such as neurologists, ENT (ear, nose and throat) surgeons, paediatricians and geneticists
• diagnose and treat eye conditions related to other diseases such as diabetes.
• carry out plastic surgery
• carry out eye surgery using, for example, an operating microscope, small incision (keyhole) surgery and laser surgery
• support health promotion and disease prevention activities.
• train eye disease sub-specialties
• diagnose and manage internal and external eye conditions

What Skills do Ophthalmologists need?

As an Ophthalmologist, you’ll need to have the following skills:

• communication skills, including empathy and sensitivity
• good stereoscopic vision and professional health requirements in line with the GMC
• practical hand skills and good hand-eye coordination
• diagnostic skills to determine the type of disease or condition, its severity and extent
• excellent problem-solving and clinical decision-making skills
• the ability to work alone and as part of a multidisciplinary team
• leadership skills
• the ability to work under pressure
• organisational, time management and planning skills
• familiarity with research methods and a willingness to keep up to date with advances in treatments.

Career Options for Ophthalmologists

• The majority of ophthalmologists are employed by the Egyptian Ministry of Health and Population. Some work for private hospital companies and there are increasing numbers of ophthalmologists working as laser eye surgeons in the private sector.
• There are also opportunities to work overseas, where there is high demand for primary care and medical ophthalmologists.
• Ophthalmologists may also become medical representatives for pharmaceutical companies or companies dealing with ophthalmic instruments.
• They can be employed to train eye disease sub-specialties

How to Become an Ophthalmology in Egypt

To qualify and practice as an ophthalmologist in Egypt, you’ll need to first of all, get enrolled to study ophthalmology in an Egyptian university or abroad. Misr University of Science and Technology, Cairo University, American University in Cairo, Alexandria University, Mansoura University, etc are some of the Egyptian universities that offer ophthalmology in their medical schools.

How long does it take to study Ophthalmology?

Like other medical courses, you will be required to spend at least six years to study ophthalmology at the university. Thereafter, you’ll proceed to a compulsory one-year internship at an accredited eye clinic. Then, You will need to write and pass a professional fellowship examination by the Egyptian Fellowship of Ophthalmology before you can be certified to practice ophthalmology in Egypt.

How much does an Ophthalmologist earn per month?

Ophthalmology is a very lucrative field in medicine and experience level is the most important factor in determining the salary of an ophthalmologist. Naturally, like in other professions, the more years of experience the higher your wage.

Below is the breakdown of monthly salary of an ophthalmologist in Egypt by years of experience:

A Physician – Ophthalmology with less than two years of experience makes approximately 10,700 EGP per month, while someone with an experience level between two and five years is expected to earn 14,300 EGP per month,

Further, an experience level between five and ten years lands a salary of 21,200 EGP per month,

Additionally, Physician – Ophthalmologists whose expertise span anywhere between ten and fifteen years get a salary equivalent to 25,900 EGP per month,

If the experience level is between fifteen and twenty years, then the expected wage is 28,200 EGP per month,

Lastly, employees with more than twenty years of professional experience get a salary of 30,500 EGP per month

Egyptian Universities that offer Ophthalmology

• Misr University of Science and Technology
• Cairo University
• American University in Cairo
• Alexandria University
• Mansoura University
• Ains Shams University