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Ophthalmologist

Ophthalmologists are eye doctors and eye surgeons. They treat cataract, glaucoma, diabetic eye disease and squint, and perform eye surgery.

Class 11–12 subjectsPhysics, Chemistry, Biology

Entrance / admissionNEET UG / NEET PG

DegreeMBBS + MS Ophthalmology

DurationAbout 8.5 years after Class 12MBBS + MD / MS

Your route, step by step

1Class 11–12: take PCBPhysics optics (lenses, refraction) and Biology’s sense-organ chapters both matter for eye care. Prepare for boards and NEET UG together.
2NEET UG → MBBS · 5.5 years4.5 years of study plus a 1-year internship. Seats through MCC (all-India quota) and Tamil Nadu medical counselling.
3NEET PG → MS Ophthalmology · 3 yearsThree years of clinics and microsurgery training.
4Practise or sub-specialiseFellowships in retina, cornea, glaucoma, paediatric eye care or oculoplasty.

What an ophthalmologist does

Test vision and examine the eye
Perform cataract, glaucoma and retina surgery
Treat eye infections, injuries and diabetic eye disease
Prescribe glasses and work with optometrists

Entrance exams & admission

NEET UGFor the MBBS seat (conducted by NTA)
NEET PGMD / MS / DNB seats (conducted by NBEMS); 50% of government seats are all-India quota, 50% Tamil Nadu quota
INI-CETPG seats at AIIMS, JIPMER, PGIMER and NIMHANS

Where you may work

Eye hospitals, government hospitals, eye camps, medical colleges and your own eye clinic.

Well-known colleges in and near Tamil Nadu

Regional Institute of Ophthalmology, Egmore (Madras Medical College)
Sankara Nethralaya, Chennai
Christian Medical College, Vellore

Official links

Exam / admissionNEET UG (National Testing Agency) (opens in a new tab)neet.nta.nic.in
Exam / admissionNEET PG, NEET SS & NEET MDS (NBEMS) (opens in a new tab)natboard.edu.in
Exam / admissionINI-CET — AIIMS, JIPMER and other national institutes (opens in a new tab)aiimsexams.ac.in
Exam / admissionMedical Counselling Committee (MCC) — all-India counselling (opens in a new tab)mcc.nic.in
Exam / admissionTamil Nadu Medical Selection Committee (DME) (opens in a new tab)tnmedicalselection.net
Official bodyNational Medical Commission (opens in a new tab)nmc.org.in
CollegeSankara Nethralaya, Chennai (Elite School of Optometry) (opens in a new tab)sankaranethralaya.org

Links checked: Oct 2026. Always confirm dates and rules on the official site.

Outlook

Tamil Nadu is known for its eye-care hospitals. Cataract and diabetic eye disease keep ophthalmologists busy everywhere.

Specialise later

Cataract & refractive surgery
Retina
Glaucoma
Cornea
Paediatric ophthalmology