What is an Ophthalmologist?

All You Need to Know About Ophthalmologists

When it is time to get your eyes checked, make sure to consult with the right eye specialist according to your needs. Eye specialists are known as ophthalmologists. They can prescribe medications, suggest correct vision correction aids, and perform surgeries. It is preferable to consult an ophthalmologist for age-related issues like cataracts and glaucoma.

Overview

An ophthalmologist is an eye-care specialist. Unlike optometrists and opticians, they are doctors of medicine (MD) or doctors of osteopathy (DO). They have specialised training in diagnosing and treating eye and vision conditions. An ophthalmologist provides total eye care treatment to the patient. This includes disease prevention, refractive and optical services, and diagnosis and management of eye disease.

What Does an Ophthalmologist Do?

An ophthalmologist is qualified to deliver total eye care, including:

● Eye examinations

● Vision services (prescribing glasses and contacts)

● Diagnosing and treating diseases and vision issues caused by diabetes or other health issues

● Prescribing medications for eye-related problems

● Performing eye surgery like removing cataracts

Why Should You Visit an Ophthalmologist?

A specialised ophthalmologist can diagnose and treat a wide range of eye and vision-related issues, including:

● Farsightedness (hyperopia)

● Nearsightedness (myopia)

● Astigmatism

● Amblyopia (lazy eye)

● Posterior vitreous detachment (PVD)

● Age-related eye problems like macular degeneration

You may need an ophthalmologist if you need eye surgery or specialised treatment, including for:

● Cataracts

● Glaucoma

● Retinal detachment

● Corneal disease

● Diabetes-related retinopathy

● Strabismus

● Serious eye-injuries

Consulting with an ophthalmologist can help you determine suitable medications and surgery opinions. It is important to get a second opinion before undergoing any eye surgery.

When Should You Have Your Eyes Examined?

Having a regular checkup of your eyes can make you aware of any eye-related issues in the future. Eye checkups depend on your age:

• Kids: You should visit the pediatric ophthalmologist at least every one to two years before they start going to school.
• Adults younger than 40: Adults are recommended to visit the ophthalmologist every 5 to 10 years.
• Adults between 40 and 54: They are recommended to visit every 2 to 4 years.
• Adults older than 55: Every 1 to 3 years, they are requested to visit an ophthalmologist.

In cases of diabetes, you should check your eyes every year to monitor them for early signs of diabetes-related retinopathy. You can talk to your specialist if you see any of these symptoms:

● Pain in the eyes

● Blurry vision

● Double vision (Diplopia)

● Red eye

● Light sensitivity (Photophobia)

● Floaters or flashes of lights

What is the Difference between an Ophthalmologist and Optometrists?

Ophthalmologists and optometrists are both eye care specialists. Ophthalmologists are medical doctors who have attended medical school. They are qualified to diagnose and treat any eye and vision condition. Additionally, they are skilled in performing eye surgeries.

Conversely, optometrists are doctors of optometry (OD). They can diagnose and treat diseases, but they don’t perform any surgeries on the eyes. Your optometrist might refer you to an ophthalmologist if they identify any eye issue requiring surgery.

Consulting an ophthalmologist is important to treat underlying eye-related problems like glaucoma and retinal problems. The eye is a crucial body part, so taking care of it is essential.