As an ophthalmologist, you have specialized training and extensive experience in diagnosing and treating eye and vision conditions. At VA, your expertise can help lead a network of specialists dedicated to helping Veterans see the world clearly.
Ophthalmologists make an impact
Ophthalmologists at VA are part of a nationwide network that dedicates itself to helping Veterans achieve their whole health. With more than a million Veterans dealing with vision issues that impact their quality of life, ophthalmologists like you can make an incredible difference.
This can start by seeing patients in your local VA Medical Center (VAMC), offering them care and support. However, you can also expand your reach as part of VA’s TeleEye initiative, which enables patients to receive eye care remotely at their primary care doctor’s office.
Through TeleEye programs, rather than traveling a long distance to visit an eye care specialist, Veterans can go to their local VA clinic instead. Once there, a Veteran can meet with a technician for scans while ophthalmologists call or set up a video visit to discuss any findings.
With more than 4 million Veterans returning from active military careers to reside in rural communities, ophthalmologists help bridge any gaps in care and provide the valuable eye care these Veterans need.
Research opportunities for ophthalmologists
For decades, VA research programs have played a vital role in the delivery of high-quality care for the nation’s Veterans. In fact, VA research is often the channel for new technologies to be introduced, federally approved, and brought to clinical environments around the country.
Over the years, VA has conducted studies related to the effects of service-related injuries on vision, eye implants that treat cataracts, surgical safety, preventative measures to restrict vision loss, and even how to better measure vision loss to advance more effective treatment.
Research at VA may mean working on the ground directly with researchers or in more administrative roles, applying leadership skills to help manage the flow of information and funding for these important projects.
Whatever their role, ophthalmologists can shape the future of eye care when at VA.
Eye care because ICARE
At VA, our core values—integrity, commitment, advocacy, respect, and excellence—define who we are as VA employees and how we’ll fulfill our mission to care for Veterans. We feel these 5 ideals describe our culture and serve as the foundation for the way we interact with our Veterans and our fellow employees.
- Integrity: We choose to act with the highest professional standards and maintain the trust of all with whom we engage.
- Commitment: We work diligently to serve Veterans, and are driven by an earnest belief in VA’s mission.
- Advocacy: We are truly Veteran-centric, as we work to identify, consider, and advance the interests of Veterans.
- Respect: We treat all those we serve and with whom we work with dignity and respect, because we believe you must show respect to earn it.
- Excellence: We strive for the highest quality and value continuous improvement.
Together, these values provide a measure for the standards expected of all VA employees, reminding everyone that “I CARE.”
- I care about those who have served.
- I care about my fellow VA employees.
- I care about choosing “the harder right instead of the easier wrong.”
- I care about performing my duties to the best of my abilities.
Work at VA
We wouldn’t be able to provide high quality eye care for Veterans without ophthalmologists, who bring unmatched expertise and dedication to their calling.
- EXPLORE our telehealth programs.
- LEARN about our research.
- SEE job opportunities available at VA.
