Ophthalmologist

An ophthalmologist is a specialist in the field of diagnosis, treatment and prevention of diseases of the organs of vision. His competence includes any pathologies, disorders and disorders of the human visual system. A doctor’s consultation is necessary for both children and adults. Regular preventive visits to an ophthalmologist help to avoid eye health problems, and if they exist, to identify them at an early stage, making the chances of treatment success as high as possible. The particular danger of eye diseases is that in some cases they can cause complete loss of vision, which is why the medical activity of an ophthalmologist (he is also called an oculist) is of considerable value.

Today, in some medical institutions you can find an ophthalmologist, in others an ophthalmologist, and given that both doctors treat eyes, this fact confuses patients. When do you need to go to an appointment with an ophthalmologist, and what does an ophthalmologist do?

Ophthalmologist and ophthalmologist: what is the difference

The word “oculist” is of Latin origin: oculus means “eye”. “Ophthalmology” is literally translated from ancient Greek as “the science of the eyes” (“ophthalmos” – eye, “logos” – science). Therefore, from the point of view of the etiology of terms, they are synonyms.

So, what do an optometrist and an ophthalmologist do? Both doctors specialize in eye pathologies and diseases. There are different opinions among patients about the difference in the competence and qualifications of these doctors, for example, that they are different specialists, that the ophthalmologist has a lower level of qualification, or that both of these doctors are engaged in the same medical activity.

In fact, both names are synonymous, and mean the same medical specialization. Optometrist and ophthalmologist deal with vision problems. The difference in names is mainly due to the fact that both words come from different languages. It is also a misconception that an ophthalmologist specializes in conservative methods of treatment, and an ophthalmologist is engaged in surgical operations.

In the countries of Western Europe, the name “oculist” is not found, but the terms “ophthalmology” and “ophthalmologist” are used, while in the countries of the former USSR and Eastern Europe the habit of using the word “oculist” has remained, at least at the household level. Nevertheless, when referring to official documentation and various qualifications, one can find exactly the name “ophthalmologist”.

In some private clinics and medical institutions, advertisers use stereotypes that, supposedly, ophthalmologists who see patients in other clinics and hospitals are less experienced doctors, and you can get qualified medical care only in a particular private medical institution, namely from an ophthalmologist who owns a large amount of knowledge. Actually, this is not true.

The difference in qualifications takes place only if we are talking, for example, about an ophthalmologist-surgeon and an ophthalmologist-oncologist.

The science of ophthalmology is the specialization of an ophthalmologist

All activities of the doctor belong to the field of ophthalmology. This science has a long history: for the first time, a person took up the study of the anatomy of the eye as early as the 1st century BC. It was then that the first works appeared describing the anatomy of the organs of vision: the anterior and posterior eye chambers, the iris and the ciliary body were described. Over several thousand years of its existence, the branch of medicine has advanced so much that today you will not surprise anyone with high-precision and complex operations such as corneal transplantation and laser vision correction, which are performed using various instruments.

There are several types of division of ophthalmology as a branch of medicine, the main of which implies the existence of:

• clinical;
• operational;
• emergency ophthalmology.

The clinical section deals with the study and development of methods for the conservative treatment of diseases of the organs of vision. The concept of operative ophthalmology includes all the processes associated with the preparation for operations on the eyes, their implementation, and the rehabilitation period after surgery. Emergency ophthalmology deals with acute disorders and pathologies of the visual organs, such as retinal detachment, corneal burns, eye injuries.

What does an ophthalmologist do

The first thing an ophthalmologist proceeds to do when accepting a patient is to conduct a survey and examination of the person who turned to him. After listening to the patient’s complaints, the doctor usually asks clarifying questions in order to more fully compose a picture of the appearance of disturbing symptoms in order to make the correct diagnosis. Next, the doctor conducts an external eye examination.

External inspection is usually carried out according to the following scheme:

• checking peripheral vision;
• examination of the eyelids for the presence of edema, swelling, peeling and redness;
• examination of the condition of the eyeball and cornea;
• checking the reaction of pupils to light.

However, the specificity of diagnosing eye diseases is that, firstly, only the eyelids and sclera of the eyeballs can be subjected to external examination without the use of special equipment, while most of the visual apparatus is hidden in the skull. Secondly, many eye diseases have symptoms similar to pathologies of the nervous system, brain diseases, acute infectious diseases and other health disorders. In order to establish with what problem the patient is forced to seek help, the doctor conducts a specialized examination using various devices.

So, for example, in the ophthalmologist’s office you can find:

• tables for determining color perception;
• automatic refractometer;
• electric ophthalmoscope;
• diaphanoscope;
• exophthalmometer;
• binocular ophthalmoscope with forehead fixation for reverse ophthalmoscopy;
• automatic pneumotonometer;
• Maklakov applanation tonometer and other devices.

Inspection of the inner surface of the eye is performed using a special microscope. The doctor examines the blood vessels, checks the absence of damage, cataracts and tumor formations in them. An ophthalmoscope helps the doctor examine the optic nerve, retina, and muscles surrounding the eye.

For diagnostic purposes, the doctor measures intraocular pressure, determines visual acuity, examines the retina and measures the thickness of the cornea.

After the initial examination and diagnosis, the ophthalmologist decides on the need for inpatient treatment or surgery. If such treatment measures are not needed, the doctor develops a conservative treatment regimen, prescribes drug therapy, special exercises or procedures.

In addition, the ophthalmologist is responsible for conducting preventive examinations in adults and children, consulting in order to prevent the occurrence of eye diseases, and, if necessary, develops and prescribes rehabilitation measures for patients who have undergone surgery or other types of treatment.

Organs and parts of the body treated by an ophthalmologist

This doctor is responsible for the health of the visual organs. Anatomically, this system is represented by:

• eyeball;
• over the centuries;
• eye sockets;
• conjunctiva;
• lacrimal organs.

Accordingly, it is these organs that are treated by an ophthalmologist. Some pathologies of the optic nerve may also be within his competence, and, in some cases, they are also dealt with by a neurologist.

Diseases and injuries treated by an ophthalmologist

All health problems that fall within the competence of an ophthalmologist are divided into two large groups. The first includes visual impairment, which manifests itself as symptoms of other diseases:

• hypertension;
• pathologies during pregnancy;
• atherosclerosis; disorders in the work of the kidneys;
• diabetes mellitus;
• pancreatitis;
• obesity.

The second group is precisely diseases of the visual organs. Among them:

1. Inflammatory process on the mucous membrane of the eye (conjunctivitis).
2. Chronic inflammation of the mucous membrane (trachoma).
3. Barley is a painful dense formation with purulent contents on the inner edge of the eyelid.
4. Nearsightedness, myopia is a visual disorder in which it is impossible to fully see objects that are at a considerable distance.
5. Farsightedness is a visual defect that makes it difficult to see objects up close.
6. Cataracts (clouding of the eye lens), and glaucoma (increased intraocular pressure). Both disorders lead to a decrease in visual acuity.
7. Color blindness is a disease in which the color perception of surrounding objects is impaired.
8. Blepharitis is an inflammatory process of the lower and upper eyelids, expressed in edema, reddening of tissues, and the release of cloudy fluid from cracked eyelids.
9. Blindness caused by a variety of factors, and injuries of the organs of vision of varying severity.

In addition, the doctor is engaged in the diagnosis and treatment of hemophthalmia, amblyopia, astigmatism, nystagmus, leukoma, strabismus and spring catarrh (seasonal exacerbation of conjunctivitis), eye injuries caused by the ingress of foreign objects or mechanical impact, shock, friction, pressure.

When to contact an ophthalmologist

There are several groups of reasons to visit a doctor. Firstly, experts recommend once a year to undergo a preventive examination by an ophthalmologist. The doctor must check visual acuity, examine the fundus, measure eye pressure. These general measures allow you to detect possible visual impairment in the early stages, if any, and also track the overall dynamics of changes in a person’s vision. Adults over 40 years of age and children should have this checkup more frequently, at least once every six months. The same requirements are valid for those who suffer from diabetes and high blood pressure, as well as for people who wear glasses and lenses.

Secondly, there are reasons when you need to contact an ophthalmologist urgently. Symptoms that require a doctor’s consultation:

• deterioration of vision;
• involuntary lacrimation;
• pain syndromes of any nature, as well as sensations of dryness, burning, irritation, heaviness;
• the presence of redness of the eyelids or eyeball;
• vagueness of objects near or far when trying to examine them;
• pain when you try to look at the light (photophobia);
• sensation of the presence of a foreign object;
• the occurrence of blurred vision.

Children’s ophthalmologist

The first examination of an ophthalmologist in the life of a baby occurs when he reaches two months. During the first years of a child’s life, scheduled visits to an ophthalmologist are a mandatory rule for parents, because it is during this period that the formation of the child’s visual system takes place, in addition, it is easier to identify and cure congenital vision pathologies in childhood. Until the age of 12-14, the organs of vision are formed, so preventive examinations during this period should be carried out once every six months.

A routine examination of a child by an ophthalmologist allows you to detect the early stages of the development of such ailments as glaucoma, strabismus, decreased vision, and disorders in the work of the eye muscles. In the process of such an examination, special drops are used that are harmless to children.

Premature babies are at high risk of developing retinopathy – against the background of this disease, the child can completely lose his sight. Therefore, for children born before 34-36 weeks, the first visit to the optometrist occurs at the age of 1-1,5 months. Further examinations occur every 2 weeks until the baby is 3-5 months old, unless the ophthalmologist decides that further visits to the doctor are necessary.

Such a type of check as the study of the fundus, and the study of the reactions of the eye to movement, gives the doctor information that may later be useful to another specialist – a pediatric neurologist.

Before a child enters a kindergarten or school, an examination by an ophthalmologist is a mandatory planned procedure for a general medical examination.

As for indications for urgent unscheduled examinations, among them, first of all, foreign objects, specks, debris, dust get into the eyes. Other symptoms that parents should look out for include:

• incomplete closure of one or two eyes;
• the appearance of barley;
• obvious strabismus;
• the disappearance of the gaze movement reflex behind objects located at a distance of about 20 cm from the child’s face;
• soreness, photophobia, itching and burning in the eyes;
• involuntary lacrimation;
• constant squinting of the eyes;
• eye or head injuries;
• swelling, itching and redness of the eyelids;
• the appearance of “flies”, “lightning” or rainbow circles before the eyes.

Such manifestations are indications for an urgent visit to an ophthalmologist.

It is in childhood that it is easiest to correct many disorders: diseases of accommodation (presbyopia, spasm of accommodation, farsightedness, myopia, astigmatism, accommodative asthenopia).

The situation is quite dangerous when one eye of a baby sees normally, and the other one is bad. In this case, the entire load falls on a healthy eye, due to which strabismus and other pathologies can develop on it.

If a child is diagnosed with astigmatism or farsightedness, the untimely prescription of corrective glasses to him in the future may cause irreparable vision problems.

It is also important to understand that a full-fledged diagnosis and consultation of the visual organs can only be carried out by an oculist (ophthalmologist), in a medical office with all the necessary equipment. Advertising tricks of optics stores that invite customers to free diagnostic and therapeutic measures as part of the selection of optics cannot be considered a full-fledged doctor’s consultation.

General rules for preparing for the appointment of an ophthalmologist

First of all, it is necessary to systematize all your symptoms and complaints in order to clearly and in detail describe them to the doctor. It makes sense to take the results of analyzes and examinations that were done no earlier than half a year before the scheduled examination by an ophthalmologist. Women, going to the doctor, it is undesirable to use cosmetics. Contact lenses should be removed at least one hour before your appointment, and in general, if possible, it’s best to temporarily switch to glasses about a week before your appointment.

Methods of treatment and diagnostics

In addition to the initial survey and examination of the patient, the ophthalmologist uses the following types of information collection about the state of the patient’s visual organs:

• visiometry – determination of visual acuity using special tables for vision;
• tonometry – measurement of intraocular pressure;
• tonography – examination of the eyes for the presence of glaucoma;
• color tests – to exclude the presence of color blindness;
• refractometry;
• biomicroscopy – a technique for examining the fundus;
• iridology – examination of the iris;
• autorefractokeratometry – non-contact methods for diagnosing refractive disorders of the eye;
• keratotopography – a non-invasive method for obtaining a topographic image of the anterior surface of the cornea of ​​the eye;
• pachymetry – a contact method for measuring the thickness of the cornea.

In addition to these types of examinations that the doctor conducts on his own, he can prescribe, for example, Doppler ultrasound of the head, including visual organs, various tests (general blood count, blood biochemistry) in order to detect the presence of infectious or inflammatory processes in the body.

After establishing the diagnosis, the doctor determines the treatment regimen for a particular patient. If conservative treatment is necessary, the ophthalmologist develops a system of drug therapy, in some cases prescribes various physiotherapy procedures.

An ophthalmologist surgeon is also competent in matters of surgical intervention, in preparing the patient for surgery and his subsequent rehabilitation: he can use laser technologies to correct vision or in case of retinal detachment, perform operations to replace the clouded eye lens with an artificial one, and stop progressive loss of vision.

The doctor can conduct preventive consultations and activities, prescribe sets of therapeutic exercises for vision.

An optometrist is competent in the selection of lenses and glasses for adults and children. Ophthalmologists, most often, can choose the right optics for the patient on their own, while an ophthalmologist-optometrist cannot carry out medical practice, he only determines the amount of vision deviation and selects the necessary lenses or glasses. Thus, optometry is a narrower subsection of ophthalmology.

If diseases and pathologies are detected that are not related to the scope of the ophthalmologist’s medical activity, the doctor refers the patient to the appropriate specialist.

An ophthalmologist is a doctor who specializes in the health of the eyes. It is to him that you need to turn if you are concerned about a decrease in visual acuity, pain, burning and dryness in the eyes, foreign objects getting into the eyes, as well as manifestations of pathologies and eye diseases. It is with such problems that modern man most often faces today. The reason for this is the constant use of smartphones, tablets, computers, long TV viewing, reading in low light, as well as stressful situations and chronic lack of sleep, which, unfortunately, are an integral part of life.

For both children and adults, a scheduled visit to an ophthalmologist increases the chances of avoiding possible vision problems, determining the correct diagnosis in case visual impairments already exist, and developing an up-to-date treatment regimen. It must be remembered that the detection of a problem in childhood or in the early stages of its development increases the likelihood of successfully treating it and maintaining normal vision.

For an ophthalmologist, it is very important to have an appropriate level of competence and experience, as well as a fully equipped office with all the devices and devices for diagnostics.