Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric

Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric score 43 out of 100, which is elevated exposure to AI. That ranks #379 of 923 US occupations, where #1 is the most exposed. Of the 18 tasks in this job, AI could speed up 1 on its own and 13 more with extra software built on top of it. In April–May 2026, 1 of these tasks showed up in real conversations with Claude, Anthropic's AI assistant.

43/ 100

Elevated

Rank: #379of 923 jobs
US workers: 8,950BLS, May 2025
Median pay: $300,080a year
In real AI use: 1 of 18tasks, April–May 2026

Task by task

Each task this job involves, as listed by O*NET, rated on whether a large language model like GPT-4 could cut the time it takes by at least half at the same quality. Tasks marked Seen in real AI use appeared in conversations with Claude in April–May 2026 (Anthropic Economic Index).

AI can speed this up on its own: 1 (6%)
AI can speed this up with extra software: 13 (72%)
Little or no AI speed-up: 4 (22%)

Document or evaluate patients' medical histories.AI can speed this up on its own · core task
Perform comprehensive examinations of the visual system to determine the nature or extent of ocular disorders.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Diagnose or treat injuries, disorders, or diseases of the eye and eye structures including the cornea, sclera, conjunctiva, or eyelids.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Develop or implement plans and procedures for ophthalmologic services.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Prescribe or administer topical or systemic medications to treat ophthalmic conditions and to manage pain.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Develop treatment plans based on patients' histories and goals, the nature and severity of disorders, and treatment risks and benefits.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Educate patients about maintenance and promotion of healthy vision.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
Perform, order, or interpret the results of diagnostic or clinical tests.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Provide ophthalmic consultation to other medical professionals.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Refer patients for more specialized treatments when conditions exceed the experience, expertise, or scope of practice of practitioner.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams of health professionals to provide optimal patient care.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Prescribe corrective lenses such as glasses or contact lenses.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Prescribe ophthalmologic treatments or therapies such as chemotherapy, cryotherapy, or low vision therapy.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Conduct clinical or laboratory-based research in ophthalmology.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task
Provide or direct the provision of postoperative care.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Perform ophthalmic surgeries such as cataract, glaucoma, refractive, corneal, vitro-retinal, eye muscle, or oculoplastic surgeries.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Perform laser surgeries to alter, remove, reshape, or replace ocular tissue.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Instruct interns, residents, or others in ophthalmologic procedures and techniques.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task

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Questions about ophthalmologists, except pediatric and AI

Will AI replace ophthalmologists, except pediatric?

Not entirely. Parts of the job are likely to change as AI takes over routine tasks. Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric score 43 out of 100 (elevated exposure), #379 of 923 US jobs. AI could speed up 14 of the job's 18 tasks, 1 of them on its own, while 4 see little or no speed-up. Exposure means the work is likely to change, not that the job will disappear.

Which ophthalmologists, except pediatric tasks can AI do?

The most exposed tasks include "Document or evaluate patients' medical histories".

Which ophthalmologists, except pediatric tasks are hardest for AI?

Tasks with little or no AI speed-up include "Provide or direct the provision of postoperative care"; "Perform ophthalmic surgeries such as cataract, glaucoma, refractive, corneal, vitro-retinal, eye muscle, or oculoplastic surgeries"; "Perform laser surgeries to alter, remove, reshape, or replace ocular tissue".

Are people already using AI for this work?

Yes. In April–May 2026, 1 of the 18 tasks showed up in real conversations with Claude, according to the Anthropic Economic Index.

How many people work as ophthalmologists, except pediatric, and what do they earn?

About 8,950 people in the US, with median pay of $300,080 a year (BLS, May 2025).

How to read this score. Exposure measures how much of the work AI could speed up, not whether the job will disappear. A highly exposed job can change shape, with people spending less time on routine tasks and more on the rest. The score counts tasks AI can speed up on its own in full, and tasks that need extra software at half weight.

The ratings come from published research based on GPT-4 (2023). To show what's happening now, each task is also checked against the latest Anthropic Economic Index, which records which tasks people actually use AI for. That data is refreshed automatically when Anthropic publishes a new release. Read the full method.

Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric

Task by task

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Questions about ophthalmologists, except pediatric and AI

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