Ophthalmologist Summary: Ophthalmologists are eye doctors who specialize in diagnosing, preventing, and treating diseases and injuries of the eyes. Ophthalmologists are medical doctors or doctors of osteopathy who have chosen the field of vision and the eyes for helping patients. These doctors deal with all issues regarding the anatomy, physiology, function, and diseases that affect the eyes. In addition, ophthalmologists can perform routine eye examinations, dispense advice to patients, and write prescriptions for glasses or contact lenses. Ophthalmologists are also able to prescribe eye drops or drugs to help treat eye infections and diseases.
Ophthalmologists can be considered specialists in both medicine and surgery, as they perform a variety of surgical and nonsurgical interventions to help those who suffer with eye problems.
Ophthalmologist Education and Training:
An ophthalmologist must first obtain a 4 year bachelor's degree, then complete 4 years of medical school in an ophthalmologist program, a 1 year internship, and at least 3 years of residency in the field. Those wishing to pursue a sub-specialty must complete an additional 1 to 2 years of training. After all education has been completed, an Ophthalmology Certification Exam must be passed in order to become a certified ophthalmologist.
Ophthalmologist Conditions Treated:
A few of the concerns and eye disorders that Ophthalmologists deal with include:
While ophthalmology is a specialty within the medical field, there are many sub-specialties with ophthalmology. These sub-specialties may focus on certain parts of the eye, certain conditions, specific procedures, or specific populations. Some sub-specialties may include Cornea and External Disease, Glaucoma, Neuro-Ophthalmology, Ocular Oncology, Ophthalmic Pathology, Pediatric Ophthalmology, Plastic Surgery, or one of many others.
Ophthalmologist Procedures and Treatments:
Just a few of the interventions used by Ophthalmologists include:
The American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Board of Ophthalmology are just two of the associations that Ophthalmologist may be linked with. There are many other associations, including those specific to each state and those devoted to sub-specialties within the field.
Ophthalmologist FAQs: What is an
? An Ophthalmologist is a physician who performs eye surgery, as well as provides vision care by diagnosing and treating the eye.
Why might I see an Ophthalmologist? You should see an Ophthalmologist if you experience a change in vision, such as eye pain or redness. You should also see an Ophthalmologist if you experience blurred vision, double vision or eyestrain.
What are some areas that an ophthalmologist can specialize in? Some of the specialized areas are glaucoma, plastic surgery, cornea diseases, retinal diseases and pediatrics.
What is the difference between an ophthalmologist, optometrist and optician? These titles are often used interchangeably, but they are quite different and involve different qualifications and practice criteria. An optician mainly works with corrective eye wear and cannot diagnose or treat any condition. An optometrist is a doctor of optometry. While an optometrist may diagnose eye and vision problems, treatment is limited to prescription of corrective eye wear and medications for certain diseases that affect the eye. An optometrist is not a medical doctor. An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor or doctor of osteopathy with a specialization in care of the eyes and vision. An ophthalmologist can perform all of the duties of the other eye professionals, as well as diagnosing and treating conditions and performing surgical interventions when necessary. The ophthalmologist has the most complete training and qualifications for all aspects of eye and vision health.
What is a holistic ophthalmologist? This is an ophthalmologist who takes a more natural approach to treating eye diseases and injuries. He or she recommends dietary supplements to maintain eye health as well as alternative medicines and procedures such as acupuncture.
How many ophthalmologists are there in the United States?
The International Council of Ophthalmology (ICO) states that there are 25,152 ophthalmologists in the United States as of March 6, 2014.
Ophthalmologist Related Terms: eyes, retina, cornea, glasses, contact lenses laser eye surgery, glaucoma, ocular surgery, near sighted, far sighted, astigmatism, blindness, pink eye, discharge, cataracts, tumors, eye examinations, ophthalmology, vision
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