What is an ophthalmologist?

An ophthalmologist is a doctor who commonly acts as both a physician and a surgeon. He or she examines and treats diseases and injuries in and around the eye.

What does an ophthalmologist do?

An ophthalmologist is an MD who specializes in eye and vision care. Ophthalmologists perform eye exams, diagnose and treat disease. They prescribe medications and perform eye surgery and also write prescriptions for eyeglasses and contact lenses.

What is the difference between an ophthalmologist and optometrist?

An optometrist specializes in prescribing glasses and contact lenses, low vision, and the diagnosis and treatment of eye diseases. They are not medical doctors. An ophthalmologist is an MD that specializes in prescribing glasses and contact lenses and the diagnosis and medical and surgical treatment of eye disease.

What diseases does an ophthalmologist treat?

• Amblyopia.
• Astigmatism.
• Cataracts.
• Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)
• Corneal Dystrophies.
• Diabetic Retinopathy.
• Dry Eye.
• Eye Cancer.
• Glaucoma
• Hyperopia
• Macular Degeneration
• Myopia
• Presbyopia
• Retinal Detachment
• Strabismus
• Uveitis

What surgeries are performed by the ophthalmologists?

They perform surgeries for:

• Ophthalmic Subspecialties
• Cornea and External Disease
• Cataract and Refractive Surgery
• Glaucoma
• Uveitis and Ocular Immunology
• Vitreoretinal Diseases
• Ophthalmic Plastic Surgery
• Pediatric Ophthalmology
• Neuro-Ophthalmology

When should you see an ophthalmologist?

It is important to treat one's eyes with care.  Ignoring changes in your vision or skipping eye examinations can your eyes at risk.

It has been recommended that the adults see an ophthalmologist as soon as possible if they experience any of the following symptoms:

• Abdominal pain or bloating
• Changes in color vision
• Changes in the field of vision such as shadows, black spots or blurriness in central or peripheral (side) vision
• Changes in vision such as sudden flashes of light, spots, lightning streaks or jagged lines of light, blurry faces, distortions or wavy lines, wavy or watery vision, haloes around lights, double vision
• Decreased vision or loss of vision in either one or both eyes
• Physical changes to the eye such as crossed eyes, eyes that turn up or down, in, out, pain, or signs of infection.