OPHTHALMOLOGY IN SCANDINAVIA

Working as an Ophthalmologist in Sweden

During their practice in Sweden, ophthalmologists work with diagnosis and treatment of eye diseases such as diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma, prescribe eyeglasses and contact lenses and treat eye injuries.

In some cases, ophthalmologists working in Sweden will also perform eye surgeries including cataract extraction, lens replacement, cornea reshaping, transplants, retinal detachment repair, and glaucoma treatment. Most of these procedures are often carried out with the aid of lasers and computerised surgical tools.

There are a small number of medical ophthalmologists trained in general medicine, as well as ophthalmology. They manage eye disorders that are specifically related to a whole-body disease, such as diabetes, meaning they need to treat the patient and not just their eye condition. In this case, the double specialisation can be appreciated when looking for a job in Sweden.

There is a lot of technical progress within this specialty, and in recent years the trend has been to go from a more evidence-based medicine to a more individualized medicine, in which every patient is treated according to his or her conditions.

One of our successfully placed doctors says that when working as an ophthalmologist in Sweden you have much more time for talking to the patient compared to other European countries. Another difference is that the level of training among nurses and secretaries is a lot higher in Sweden. Here, each person handles his or her job in a knowledgeable and responsible way and this makes it possible for the doctor to focus on the main activity.

Working as an Ophthalmologist in Norway

Norway has a well-balanced healthcare system, with excellent standards and efficient delivery of services to citizens throughout the country. However, the ageing of the Norwegian population and the consequent changes in the country’s demographics translate into an increasing demand for specialist doctors in ophthalmology. As an ophthalmologist working in Norway, you will deal with examination and treatment of children and adults with eye diseases, injection treatment for retinal diseases, and argon laser treatment of eye diseases. In some cases, you will perform eye surgery and prescribe and fit eyeglasses and contact lenses to correct vision problems.

In Norway there are no formal sub-specialities within ophthalmology, however, at the larger hospitals, different sections with defined areas of responsibility have been created. These are relatively uniform in the different eye departments across the different hospitals.

The sections include:

• Front segment – cornea, lens, glaucoma
• Rear segments – vitreoretinal diseases, uveitis
• Ocular plastics and orbital disorders, neuro-ophthalmology
• Paediatric ophthalmology and strabismus

Many ophthalmologists in Norway are involved in scientific research on the causes and cures for eye diseases and vision disorders. 

Working as an Ophthalmologist in Denmark

As a specialist doctor in ophthalmology, you will primarily deal with correcting imperfections and treating conditions of the eye that are known to cause reduced or loss of vision. You will assess the condition of the patient’s eye, diagnose any abnormalities found, intervene to preserve the sense of sight, and evaluate whether the condition has improved. Your role will also be, among others, to determine and prescribe the grade for patients who need glasses, control of diabetic patients, control and diagnosis of glaucoma and cataract patients, control and diagnose with AMD, control and diagnose of children with eyesight problems, trauma or acute loss of vision, etc.

As an ophthalmologist in Denmark, you will exam patients affected by a wide range of various ophthalmological conditions from the standard to the more complex ones. You will set treatment to these conditions, taking into account both medical and psychological aspects of patient care.

Specialist doctors in ophthalmology in Denmark will find career opportunities in general outpatient clinics, emergency eye clinics and specialist clinics both in the public and private sector.

The ability to work as part of a cross-disciplinary team that includes optometrists, orthoptists, and nurses, as well as with specialists such as neurologists, ENT (ear, nose and throat) surgeons and paediatricians, is essential.

Denmark has an active research environment with activities spanning from basic laboratory research over clinical intervention studies to epidemiological research.

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Before you register, please go through the list of requirements below:

• To have a medical specialization. 

• To be an EU citizen OR have long-term residency in any of the EU member countries.

If you are not an EU citizen and/or your title are not from EU countries:

• Your title must be recognised in any of the EU member countries.

• You must have worked at least 3 years in any of the EU member countries AFTER your title had been recognized.