How Many Years of School Does it Take to be a Cataract Surgeon?

A cataract surgeon undergoes many years of training, first gaining a medical degree and then specializing in the field of vision. The short answer to, how many years of school does it take to be a cataract surgeon?, is anything from 12-14 years, but this certainly doesn’t reveal the whole story.

The skills of a cataract surgeon depend on many factors, including the type of cataracts they treat, their experience, and more.

The Road to Cataract Surgery: From High School to Practice

• First steps: how many years of school does it take to be a cataract surgeon?
• Specializing once qualified

First steps: how many years of school does it take to be a cataract surgeon?

Qualifying as a cataract surgeon begins with gaining a 4-year college degree. This doesn’t have to be a pre-med program, although this is the common pathway. Others choose a science-related bachelor’s degree as the first step.

After this, the training becomes wholly medical-focused. After passing (and scoring well) on the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), the next stages are as follows:

• 4 years at medical school: This includes intensive study in areas, such as anatomy and physiology, pathology, and biochemistry. The second half of the course involves clinical rotations in medical settings, mainly in a hospital. This incorporates all medical fields, including the ER, obstetrics, respiratory, cardiovascular, renal, geriatric, and more. There will be many assessments, tests, and examinations to pass during this time. Successfully completing the 4 years results in graduation.
• A 1-year internship: Prior to the next step (an ophthalmology residency), a year-long internship is needed. Not all medical fields require this, but for those who want to specialize in ophthalmology), it’s mandatory. During this time the focus continues to be on general medicine, honing skills in assessment, diagnosis, and treatments.
• A 3-year ophthalmology residency: Further ophthalmology-specific education continues in tandem with plenty of hands-on practice. A successful completion ends with sitting the Ophthalmology Board Examination to finally become an ophthalmologist.

Once qualified, a doctor can perform various operations, including being a cataract surgeon.

Specializing once qualified

While these initial, long, years of study culminate in becoming a board-certified ophthalmologist, most doctors don’t end their training here. Even though the eyes are the smallest organ in the body, they’re extremely complex. This provides an incredible scope for specialization. Some examples include:

• Specialist cataract care: Age-related cataracts are the most common kind, but many others that require expert care. These include those that affect children (pediatric or genetic cataracts) and those that form suddenly, often after trauma. Even age-related cataracts aren’t all straightforward. People often have co-existing conditions, such as glaucoma, diabetes, or have had previous eye surgery, all of which require specialized treatment. The anatomy of the eye can also make cataract surgery higher risk.
• Laser vision correction: This often teams well with cataract care. Certain cataract operations can also correct astigmatism—a particular type of visual defect that affects many people.
• Diabetic care: Diabetes causes changes to the internal structures of the eye. This means anyone with either type I or type II needs to partner with an ophthalmologist who has significant experience in the field. From diabetic retinopathy to high-risk conditions, such as retinal detachment, diabetic eye doctors have an in-depth understanding of the complex dynamics between the disease and the eyes.

As you can see, it takes a huge level of dedication to become a cataract surgeon. In addition to all the training already mentioned, they also need to continually update their skills, especially if they want to perform the most cutting-edge treatments for their patients.

Want the Ultimate Cataract Surgery? You Need the West Boca Eye Center

At the WBEC, we’re never content with providing good treatment. We strive to excel at everything. When it comes to cataract surgery, we really are one of the best in the country—if not the world. 

Is this a bold claim? Absolutely not. Led by preeminent cataract surgeon, Brent Bellotte MD., who has and continues to play a pivotal role in the advancement of all things cataract, is well known throughout the world for his expertise. From age-related cataract treatment to high-risk operations, pediatric cataract care, and more, there’s no better place to entrust your precious eyesight.

Head to https://www.westbocaeyecenter.com/ for more information and call today to chat with our friendly team.

A cataract surgeon undergoes many years of training, first gaining a medical degree and then specializing in the field of vision. The short answer to, how many years of school does it take to be a cataract surgeon?

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