An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor (MD) who specializes in eye and vision care. This doctor examines eyes, diagnoses disorders and diseases, and treats cataracts, cornea and retinal disorders, glaucoma, and more. He also prescribes corrective lenses and performs laser surgery and other eye surgery. An ophthalmologist differs from an optometrist (OD), who has a doctorate degree but is not qualified to perform eye surgery; and an optician, who fits and adjusts eyeglasses, and fits contact lenses in some states. Ophthalmologists can make very large amounts of money.
Starting Salary
According to the PayScale salary survey website, ophthalmologists usually begin at around $100,000 per year as of 2009, with their salary increasing to around $150,000 over the next few years.
General Range
The Allied Physicians website shows ophthalmologists making $138,000 to $511,000. The exception is retina specialists, who make $280,000 to $716,000.
Median Salary
The Salary Wizard survey website shows the middle 50 percent of ophthalmologists in 2009 earning $219,000 to $315,000, with the median salary $254,000.
Job Listings
A look at the Salary List website, which collects job listing data, shows ophthalmologists hired to work as partners or employees with the top salary offered at $400,000, and most salaries between $120,000 and $200,000.
Surgeons
Ophthalmologists who focus on surgery make more money than more general practitioners. This includes eye doctors those who perform laser in-situ keratomileusis (LASIK) surgery, and those specializing in pediatric ophthalmology, glaucoma and oculoplastics.
