Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric
Diagnose and perform surgery to treat and help prevent disorders and diseases of the eye. May also provide vision services for treatment including glasses and contacts.
Also called: Clinical Ophthalmologist, Cornea Specialist, Glaucoma Specialist, Oculoplastic Specialist, Ophthalmic Surgeon, Ophthalmologist
- Median pay in Greater Boston
- $325,200
- $156.35/hr
- Jobs in Greater Boston
- 330
- Massachusetts 2024–2034
- 0.0%
- 10 openings a year
- Typical U.S. entry requirement
- Doctoral or professional degree
- plus Internship/residency
Greater Boston: Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area, May 2025. Growth and openings: Massachusetts statewide projection.
Pay range in Greater Boston
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $115,240 | $226,790 | $325,200 | $335,580 | $415,600 |
10% of workers earn less than the first figure and 10% earn more than the last.
What you’d do
- Perform comprehensive examinations of the visual system to determine the nature or extent of ocular disorders.
- Diagnose or treat injuries, disorders, or diseases of the eye and eye structures including the cornea, sclera, conjunctiva, or eyelids.
- Provide or direct the provision of postoperative care.
- Develop or implement plans and procedures for ophthalmologic services.
- Prescribe or administer topical or systemic medications to treat ophthalmic conditions and to manage pain.
- Develop treatment plans based on patients' histories and goals, the nature and severity of disorders, and treatment risks and benefits.
AI and this job
AI exposure: how much of this job’s work AI tools can do or help with, based on national research. It is not a forecast of job loss.
Moderate exposure60 of 100
The index averages three national research measures, each shown as a percentile of all jobs:
- AIOE 63
- Language-model AIOE 62
- GPTs-are-GPTs 54
Observed AI use today: Little or none (Anthropic Economic Index)
AI exposure for this job is moderate, meaning AI tools could help with some tasks. Right now, observed AI use is little or none. Tools may support parts of eye exams and diagnosis, while surgery, hands-on treatment, and direct care after surgery still depend on the doctor.
Likely to change
- Supporting eye exam review
- Helping with diagnosis and treatment planning
Still relies on people
- Performing eye surgery
- Directing care after surgery
Written with AI from the data on this page. Check with a career coach before making a decision.
Training near Boston
College and school programs in the Boston metro area that lead to this job, with 2023-24 completions (IPEDS).
0 programs near Boston (plus 3 graduate)
No programs below a master’s degree near Boston map to this job. Tick the box above to see graduate programs.
Related occupations
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