PG Diploma in Ophthalmology is a two-year postgraduate course that focuses on the diagnosis, treatment, and management of eye disorders, and offers eye care services to those affected in various hospitals and community settings.
Students eligible to pursue a PG Diploma in Ophthalmology must hold an MBBS degree or equivalent, recognized by the Medical Council of India (MCI), with the completion of a one-year internship, and must appear for the NEET PG exam. The students are also required to have a permanent or provisional registration certificate from the National Medical Commission or the Medical Council of India.
The course of a PG Diploma in Ophthalmology is offered across different colleges in India, some of the best colleges are Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Medical Sciences and Dr. RML Hospital, Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Medical College, Government Medical College Srinagar, Lokmanya Tilak Municipal Medical College, Rajah Muthiah Medical College, Osmania Medical College, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College (Aligarh Muslim University), LLRM Medical College, Vivekananda Institute of Medical Sciences and, Govt. Medical College Kolkata.The total course fee for a two-year postgraduate diploma course ranges from INR 25,000-6,00,000, depending on the institute, usually, fees at government colleges are lower than private colleges.
A PG Diploma in Ophthalmology is associated with various high-paying and reputed career opportunities and career profiles like Ophthalmologist, Senior Consultant, Sub‑specialty Consultant / Fellow‑trained, Assistant Professor, Private Practice / Own Clinic Owner. Graduates, upon further specialization and certification, are employed in Private hospitals, eye institutes, government hospitals, Mid-sized corporate hospitals, or state medical colleges/institutes, Tertiary eye-care institutes, large multispecialty corporate hospitals, Government or private medical colleges, Solo practitioners in tier-II/tier‑III cities, and metro clinics, where the annual salary package ranges from INR 6-36 LPA.
Table of Contents
- PG Diploma in Ophthalmology Key Highlights
- What is a PG Diploma in Ophthalmology?
- Why Study a PG Diploma in Ophthalmology?
- Who should study for the PG Diploma in Ophthalmology course?
- PG Diploma in Ophthalmology Eligibility Criteria
- PG Diploma in Ophthalmology Entrance Exams 2025
- PG Diploma in Ophthalmology Colleges in India
- PG Diploma in Ophthalmology Admission Process 2025
- PG Diploma in Ophthalmology Syllabus
- PG Diploma in Ophthalmology Job Opportunities in India
- PG Diploma in Ophthalmology Vs MS in Ophthalmology Comparison
- PG Diploma in Ophthalmology FAQs
PG Diploma in Ophthalmology Key Highlights
Given below are some of the PG Diploma in Ophthalmology key highlights:
What is a PG Diploma in Ophthalmology?
A Postgraduate Diploma in Ophthalmology is a two-year course, opted for by MBBS graduates who want to go for further specialization in eye and vision care. The program focuses on the diagnosis, treatment of different eye disorders, performing basic surgical procedures like cataract extraction, and managing ophthalmic emergencies in clinical settings.
The course largely aims to impart clinical and surgical expertise to equip the student with specialist qualities in diagnostic and surgical skills that are essential for practicing eyecare and treatment at secondary levels of the health care delivery system. The course is widely recognized by the NMC in India and is pursued by those wanting to begin practicing ophthalmology in hospitals and clinical settings. During the course, the students receive training in clinical ophthalmology, ophthalmic instruments, minor surgeries, community eye health, and optics/refraction.
Why Study a PG Diploma in Ophthalmology?
A PG Diploma in Ophthalmology is a highly preferred program among students interested in learning about eye disorders and their management; hence, it is offered in different colleges and universities in India. The reasons to opt for a PG Diploma in Ophthalmology are given below:
- Quicker Entry- Having a shorter duration, a PG Diploma in Ophthalmology, as compared to an MS degree, allows MBBS graduates to start practicing a career in Ophthalmology much earlier than any other medical course or degree.
- Focused Clinical Training- The course emphasizes quick hands-on training and experience in the diagnosis and management of eye disorders, minor surgeries, and offering clinical services to communities.
- Growing Demand- Due to an increase in the screen time and the number of old aging population, there is a rising demand for skilled professionals and ophthalmologists at primary and secondary levels in both rural and urban areas. Hence, opting for a PG Diploma in Ophthalmology can be beneficial.
- Ideal for Community Health Practice- A PG Diploma in Ophthalmology equips the students and professionals to provide essential eye care services in underserved and rural areas where there might be a scarcity of ophthalmologists.
Who should study for the PG Diploma in Ophthalmology course?
Reasons, which include individuals who might be a good choice for pursuing a PG Diploma in Ophthalmology in different colleges in India, are mentioned below:
- MBBS Graduates Seeking Specialization- Students who have already completed their MBBS degrees and are seeking specialization or are interested in eye care and visual science, then they must choose to study a PG Diploma in Ophthalmology.
- Professionals Interested in Public Health- The students who want to serve and contribute towards the rural, tribal, and under-resourced areas through government and non-governmental setups should choose to pursue a PG Diploma in Ophthalmology.
- Doctors Planning for Private Practice or Clinics- Medical students and graduates who are aiming to establish an independent ophthalmology clinic or want to opt for private practice should choose to pursue a PG Diploma in Ophthalmology.
- Individuals Preparing for Further Fellowships- Students who are planning to opt for further specializations in retina and glaucoma, etc, through short and long-term fellowships post diploma should choose to study a PG Diploma in Ophthalmology.
PG Diploma in Ophthalmology Eligibility Criteria
To secure a seat in the top colleges and institutes in India for a PG Diploma in Ophthalmology course, a student must meet the following eligibility criteria to be selected for further application and the admission process. The detailed eligibility criteria are mentioned below:
- The student must hold an MBBS degree or equivalent, recognized by the Medical Council of India (MCI), with the completion of a one-year internship.
- The students must also appear for entrance exams like NEET PG.
- The students are also required to have a permanent or provisional registration certificate from the National Medical Commission or the Medical Council of India.
- Students belonging to SC/ST/OBC/EWS categories are often given relaxation during the admission process.
PG Diploma in Ophthalmology Entrance Exams 2025
To secure a seat in the top colleges in the country for a PG Diploma in Ophthalmology, the student has to appear for various entrance examinations. The details about the entrance examination for pursuing a PG Diploma in Ophthalmology have been listed in the table below:
PG Diploma in Ophthalmology Colleges in India
A PG Diploma in Ophthalmology is a two-year course opted for by medical students interested in learning about the diagnosis, treatment, and management of eye disorders. Hence, it is offered by a few colleges and universities across India. Colleges offering this course are listed in the table below:
PG Diploma in Ophthalmology Admission Process 2025
To secure a seat in the top colleges for a PG Diploma in Ophthalmology in India, the student must follow a few steps first. Initially, the student must meet the eligibility criteria of the course and then fill out the application form. The detailed procedure for securing a seat at Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Medical College is given below:
Step 1- The students must apply on the official website of the college, and then proceed with the filling of their personal and academic details.
Step 2- The students then need to upload all the relevant documents and proceed with the payment of the application fee.
Step 3- The student must make sure that the information details and the documents that they are submitting are true, without any discrepancies.
Step 4- After successfully submitting the application form, the students will be selected based on their merit scores.
Step 5- The selected students will be informed by the college through mail or the college application window.
Step 6- The final selected students will be required to appear for counseling, if applicable, and submit their original documents to get them verified by the college.
Step 7- The selected students will be required to confirm their admission by paying the admission fee.
Documents Required:
- MBBS Mark-sheet
- Identity proof such as an Aadhar card, PAN Card
- An entrance exam scorecard, if applicable
- Recent passport-sized photographs
- Category certificate, if applicable
- Bank details
PG Diploma in Ophthalmology Syllabus
A PG Diploma in Ophthalmology is a 2-year full-time postgraduate course offered across different colleges and universities in India. There is no specific syllabus for this course, all the colleges cover similar modules and topics. The modules taught during the entire course are mentioned below:
PG Diploma in Ophthalmology Job Opportunities in India
Multiple job opportunities and careers are associated with a PG Diploma in Ophthalmology in India, which are mentioned below in the table:
PG Diploma in Ophthalmology Vs MS in Ophthalmology Comparison
Below is a detailed comparison between a PG Diploma in Ophthalmology and an MS in Ophthalmology. Students who are unsure about which program to pursue can refer to the table to make an informed decision.
PG Diploma in Ophthalmology FAQs
What does a PG Diploma in Ophthalmology usually focus on?
A PG Diploma in Ophthalmology focuses on the development of clinical skills which are essential in the diagnosis and management of eye disorders, performing minor ophthalmic procedures, and assisting in offering eye care services to those affected in various hospitals and community settings. The course majorly focuses on learning about the diagnosis, treatment, and management of eye disorders, in particular.
Can someone open a private eye clinic right after completing a PG Diploma in Ophthalmology?
Yes. If someone has completed their PG Diploma in Ophthalmology and has a valid medical registration, then they can legally practice ophthalmology by opening a private eye clinic. In some cases, the students may also need to gain further training or fellowships.
Name a few popular and widely known fellowships after a PG Diploma in Ophthalmology?
Students can pursue popular and widely known fellowships after a PG Diploma in Ophthalmology, like Retina, Glaucoma, Cornea, Pediatric Ophthalmology, and Oculoplasty, at reputed institutions like Aravind Eye Hospital, LV Prasad Eye Institute, or Sankara Nethralaya.
Can someone with a valid PG Diploma in Ophthalmology be eligible to apply for teaching positions in medical colleges?
In some colleges and private institutions, students with a valid PG Diploma in Ophthalmology are eligible for junior teaching roles. However, having an MS or DNB degrees are generally preferred for academic faculty positions and practicing teaching in medical colleges.
