Ophthalmologist

Ophthalmologists specialize in caring for vision or visual pathways. While an optometrist will help patients with regular eye care, an ophthalmologist works with the eyes, the brain and other elements of vision including eyelids. You will visit an optometrist for your regular checkup, and he or she will refer you to an ophthalmologist if there are problems or if you require vision surgery.

5 Things You Need to Know

  1. An ophthalmologist is also considered a surgeon.
  2. Ophthalmologists were the first medical professionals required to obtain certification. All medical professionals now need to be certified by a regulating board.
  3. Some of the common diseases and conditions that an ophthalmologist treats include cataracts, glaucoma, retinal diseases and eye tumors.
  4. Ophthalmologists may also perform regular eye exams.
  5. Optometrists are not medical doctors and, as such, are only able to assess eye health and prescribe corrective lenses. Treatment of eye disease and any surgical procedures must be handled by an ophthalmologist.

3 Questions You Need to Ask Your Ophthalmologist

  1. What experience do you have with my condition? While ophthalmologists have all completed specialized training, some have focused their practice on general eye health while others have concentrated on eye disease and vision conditions. If you have a particular condition, you want your ophthalmologist to have dealt with it before.
  2. Who are the members of your eye health team? Your ophthalmologist shouldn’t work alone – whole vision treatment requires the assistance of optometrists, nurses and, in some cases, general practitioners.
  3. What is the range of services you offer? If you’re going to be visiting the ophthalmologist, it may be more convenient to rely on him or her for your whole vision care, including regular checkups. Find out if the ophthalmologist offers additional services besides care for any particular condition you may be experiencing.

Also Known As: Eye doctor

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