Ophthalmic Photographers
Ophthalmic photography is one of the largest specialtieswithin the new and growing field of medical photography and illustrate on. On the surface, the ophthalmic photographer's role seems simple; he or she provides a visual record of the eye and its parts. In actuality, the exacting science of capturing subtle changes that help in tracking diseases and isolating eye functions for study and research make ophthalmic photography an invaluable tool.
Since ophthalmic photographers must combine their artistic talent with technical knowledge of the anatomy andphysiology of the eye, new entrants in this field seem tocome from two areas. Many are people who have studiedphotography in college and worked as news, magazine, orcommercial photographers. Some have completed degreesin medical illustration, with photography as their preferredmedium. On the other end of the spectrum are ophthalmic technicians, who may have been amateur photographers anddeveloped skills that have led to a new direction in theircareers.
Ophthalmic photography has become such an important part of eye care that certification of photographers is now available and desired by potential employers. To become certified Retinal Angiographer (CRA), the photographer must present a portfolio of his or her work and pass both written and oral examinations administered by the Ophthalmic Photographers Society. Recertification is required every three years, and CRAs must show that they have taken continuing education courses to keep up with the changing technologies of photography and eye care.
Ophthalmic photographers generally work for eye institutes or large hospitals where there are research and educational programs. They perform a wide range of functions—from teaching technologists to do cynical photography, fluorescent angiography, and slit lamp—to videotaping surgical procedures in the operating room. Some of their work is used to illustrate articles in ophthalmic journals or for slide presentations at medical conferences. Since this is a new and very high-tech field, experienced photographers sometimes get the opportunity to design new technologies such as electronic digitized imaging. There are also opportunities to do consulting work on research projects and with manufacturers to develop new products.
Ophthalmic Administrators
Ophthalmic administrators generally have a master’s degree in health administration. In addition to their preparation to become health care business managers, they also must learn the particulars of ophthalmic clinical practice. Ophthalmic administrators are experts on the volatile marketplace and ever-changing world of government regulations. Administrators have a wide range of responsibilities including managing the day-to-day operation of a facility; planning new programs and practice sites; monitoring budgets, billing, collections, and personnel matters; recruiting new doctors and staff; fundraising; marketing; and a host of other functions.
Administrators often report to both a physician director and administrative director. In an academic setting, the ophthalmology department may be a small division in a large institution. Administrators have to be diplomatic and astute at protecting their division's resources while standing within the framework of a larger organization. Successful administrators are problem solvers who can bring good conceptual and analytic thinking together with effective interpersonal skills. They can go on to become vice president at a larger health care facility.
Researchers
Researchers are often tucked away in remote laboratoriesof eye institutes working on cutting-edge treatments oradvancing knowledge about the functions of the visual system. Most researchers have Ph.D. degrees in a scientificfield such as biology, chemistry, or physics; some are medical doctors as well who work in tandem with other clinicaland teaching physicians. Their work is very exacting andrequires patience and a curiosity that transcends the sometimes repetitious laboratory routines and paperwork that arepart of scientific research.
A researcher's income is often variable since he or she isdependent on grant support from government agencies, likethe National Eye Institute, or private and corporate foundations. Ophthalmologists who teach are also frequentlyinvolved in research. Ophthalmic researchers also can holdsalaried positions with companies who manufacture pharmaceuticals or medical equipment.
Researchers who work for medical or pharmaceuticalcompanies are usually involved in the development of newproducts. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration have verystringent regulations about the testing of new drugs anddevices in order to protect patients. Many researchers arespecialists in designing and monitoring "clinical trials" inwhich hospital patients or human volunteers use a newproduct in the initial testing stages.
Visual Sciences Information Specialists
These specialists are medical librarians who specialize insupport to ophthalmologists, optometrists, allied health professionals, students in eye care training programs, researchers, administrators, patients, and anyone else who needsinformation about the eye and vision. Many of the librariesand media centers run by information specialists are basedin eye hospitals, ophthalmology departments of universitymedical schools, or optometric colleges.
Visual sciences information specialists provide referencematerials, computerized literature searches, audiovisual services, interlibrary loan document delivery, and other libraryservices to the staff of their institutions. Information specialists often offer consumer health information about eye careto the general public and provide patient education materialsfor visually impaired persons and their families.
Most visual sciences information specialists have master'sdegrees in library or information science. They sometimes have undergraduate degrees in biology or another scientificdiscipline. An interest in computerized information databases and, today, the Internet and World Wide Web are nowan essential part of the job. Much of the information that isneeded by health care professionals is found in periodical literature that can be located by searching on-line indexes.Some visual sciences information specialists also have developed their own internal databanks for quick retrieval of in-house information. Information specialists who work in thistype of environment generally develop close ties with theresearchers, students, faculty, and practitioners who are frequent clients. Unlike others in academic or public library settings, the visual sciences information specialist has thesatisfaction of seeing or hearing about the results of his orher information support services. For more information contact the Medical Library Association.
Ophthalmic Nurses
Ophthalmic nurses are registered nurses who have advanced training in caring for ophthalmology patients.Their duties include reception and basic testing of outpatients, assisting with contact lens fitting, health counselingand patient education, preparing the patient for surgery, assisting the surgeon in the operating room, and attendingthe patient after the procedure. Their responsibilities can besimilar to the ophthalmic technologist's. The career path,however, starts with basic nursing training.
Some ophthalmic nurses have become very skilled physician extenders in the operating room and sometimes function as ''certified nursing-first assistants." They providehemostasis, handle tissue, use instruments, and suture thewound. As reimbursement for ophthalmic procedures continues to recede, the demand for non-physician surgicalassistants is expected to increase dramatically. Since operating nurses are a scarce commodity today, nurses whochoose this subspecialty will have their choice of employment situations. The move toward eye surgi-centers makesworking close to home on a regular daytime schedule a viable option for ophthalmic nurses.
Another nursing specialty that requires advanced trainingis that of the certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA).These nurses care for patients before, during, and after surgery when anesthesia is used. They are experts at monitoring the patient's vital signs and using anesthesia techniquesand equipment to ensure the safety and comfort of thepatient. The twenty-four-month training program is available to nurses who have attained their bachelor's degree andincorporates formal training at the master's level with extensive clinical experiences.
CRNAs work under the direction of ophthalmologic surgeons with or without a supervising anesthesiologist, depending on state nursing regulations, in surgi-centers, inhospital operating rooms, and in research settings.
