An interview with Mr. P. Janakiraman, Assistant Medical Director, The Eye Research Foundation, Vijaya Hospital.

How has the field of ophthalmology as a career developed over the years?

A few decades ago, ophthalmology did not hold much attraction for many students. They opted for it only if they could not get into general surgery or any other choicest areas.

The trend started changing in the late 1970s when people started realising that this field held lots of opportunities in terms of employment and that it was not yet saturated with professionals.

Gradually, it became the first choice of students who wanted a career in this field of medicine when they realised that there was a lot more to ophthalmology than doing procedures like curing glaucoma and cataract.

This is also a career that is attractive to both men and women. There is a certain amount of gender bias against women when it comes to areas like general surgery and bias against men in areas like gynecology.

However, if you look at ophthalmology that gender bias does not exist, as a patient is not really concerned whether a lady or a male doctor treating him. There are not many situations here where you have to take split second decisions with a patient's life hanging on balance.

In these aspects this field is an attractive option as a career.

Tell us something about the trend of private practice in ophthalmology?

Ophthalmology is a very equipment - oriented field and you need to invest in a lot for out-patient and surgical practice. One of the emerging trends is of group practice.

As one individual may not able to invest the whole amount, a few professionals get together and set up a group practice. One major advantage is that the money invested in the equipment is put to maximum use.

Moreover each professional has his own field of specialty and you have the freedom to refer the patient to another specialist in a particular field.

What are the opportunities available in the area of research in this field?

There are two types of research in this field, basic research and clinical research. Funding is hard to come by for basic research so only a few, mainly from the government institutes, are involved in it.

Most of the research that is done is clinical in nature - what particular line of treatment to be adopted or any special treatment for specific ailments etc.

In fact, the number of topics and papers that are offered for research have steadily increased in the recent years.

How do professionals in this field get international exposure?

Some professionals in this field are invited overseas for lectures and conferences.

After completing post graduation many go abroad for a year or two to learn and observe the latest technologies in the field. Now we are fairly up to date.

Many go abroad to master the various sub-specialties within ophthalmology as there are no structured courses available in India.

MALINI SURYANARAYANAN