Career Explorer Healthcare (clinical)
Human edge, growing
Ophthalmologists, except pediatric
Diagnose and perform surgery to treat and help prevent disorders and diseases of the eye. May also provide vision services for treatment including glasses and contacts.
More resilient than most: more resilient than 72% of the 831 careers we score. AI exposure is moderate (the Bureau of Labor Statistics rates it moderate), and US jobs are projected to change by +4.5% by 2035, faster than average. The work leans on ethical judgement and emotional intelligence.
AI struggles with much of this work, and US employers are expected to hire more people into it than average.
- Median pay (2025)
- $300,080
- Job growth to 2035
- +4.5%
- Openings a year
- 200
- People doing it (2025)
- 9,700
- Usual route in
- Doctorate or professional degree, then an internship or residency
Where people already use AI for this work
- Advise patients or clients on medical issues
- Advise others on healthcare or wellness issues
- Assist others to access additional services or resources
From Microsoft Research, Working with AI (2025).
Work AI rarely helps with
- Treat injuries, illnesses, or diseases
- Prescribe medical treatments or devices
- Develop patient or client care or treatment plans
What the work looks like
- Perform comprehensive examinations of the visual system to determine the nature or extent of ocular disorders.
- Diagnose or treat injuries, disorders, or diseases of the eye and eye structures including the cornea, sclera, conjunctiva, or eyelids.
- Provide or direct the provision of postoperative care.
- Develop or implement plans and procedures for ophthalmologic services.
- Prescribe or administer topical or systemic medications to treat ophthalmic conditions and to manage pain.
From O*NET 31.0, US Department of Labor.
Careers using similar strengths, with a stronger outlook
- Nurse anesthetistsHuman edge, growing, Index 95, +9.7%
- ChiropractorsHuman edge, growing, Index 78, +8.7%
- Physical therapistsGrows with AI, Index 76, +11.9%
- Dentists, generalHuman edge, growing, Index 85, +5.7%
Also known as: Glaucoma Specialist, Ophthalmologist, Physician, Retina Specialist, Clinical Ophthalmologist, Cornea Specialist, Oculoplastic Specialist, Ophthalmic Surgeon.
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Sources: US Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2025 to 2035; O*NET 31.0; Microsoft Research (2025); Anthropic Economic Index (2026); Eloundou and colleagues (Science, 2024); Felten, Raj and Seamans (2023). How we score. Updated 12 October 2026.