The ophthalmologist is the eye specialist. He performs vision examinations and operations to recover it.

Eye specialist, the ophthalmologist is able to diagnose vision disorders (myopia, presbyopia), internal or external diseases of the eye (conjunctivitis, keratoconus), and operate if necessary.

The ophthalmological examination

First of all, the ophthalmologist will discuss with the patient in order to understand the reasons for his arrival. This includes description of symptoms, his family history (in order to detect genetic implications, such as myopic parents), and his illnesses.

Once done, the practitioner can perform various examinations. Most often, the ophthalmological examination does not require leaving the office and is performed in a few minutes by the doctor.

List of different exams:

• Visual acuity

Vision diagnosis in order to measure its capacities. It is during this that one can detect in the young the development of myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism, or in the elderly the appearance of presbyopia. The exam usually consists of simply reading a sign covered with letters of different sizes located at a distance.

• Eyeball examination

This examination, as its name suggests, consists of observing the eye as a whole. This includes the eyelids and contours of the globe, in order to study conjunctivitis, for example, but also to test the agility of the gaze. If necessary, this examination is deepened using a lamp to observe the eye as a whole: iris, cornea, but also the interior with the vitreous humor or even the bottom of the retina.

• Fundus examination

When the situation requires it and a simple examination of the eyeball is not sufficient, an examination of the fundus of the eye may be performed. This is where the retina, optic nerve and other nerve tissue are located. To do this, the practitioner must first anesthetize the iris using a chemical agent such asatropine. As a result, the retina is illuminated with the help of a lamp. This makes it possible to detect tears, or signs of partial detachment.

• Eye pressure measurement

During this examination, the patient rests his head on a suitable support before receiving anesthetic eye drops. The blood pressure is measured using an instrument, the tonometer, or sometimes using a small jet of air on the cornea. This manipulation is painless and lasts only a few minutes.

The ophthalmologist consults for various reasons:

• To check his visual acuity

Most often, an ophthalmologist is seen to see a blurred vision. Detect myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, or presbyopia. Thanks to his precise measurements, the ophthalmologist draws up an inventory of your eye, which he will send to your optician with a view to obtaining suitable corrective lenses. In the elderly, it is recommended to consult regularly to monitor the development of presbyopia.

• To ensure regular follow-up

Even for a patient in apparently good health, it is advisable to consult an ophthalmologist regularly, at a frequency of one visit every year or two years. This allows you to spot problems quickly, rather than being surprised when the going gets tough.

• For a child under 4 years old

It is advisable to make at least one ophthalmologist appointment before your child turns 4, and from one year, to check that the development of his vision is normal. A young child will indeed find it difficult to tell you about himself if he is nearsighted! If your child often blinks or complains of a headache, this is a sign that you should seek immediate medical attention.

• To report a new problem

Undoubtedly the main reason for consultation in adults: the appearance of a new problem. Dark spots, blurry vision, lightning, fly flies, secretions, eyelid pimples, or headaches: these symptoms may be a sign that your eyes have a problem, and need to be checked.

Unlike the situations described above, here are some examples where the visit to the ophthalmologist will not be able to do anything or is not the priority.

• In case of severe shock or loss of an eye

It is obvious, but if you have suffered a violent shock, have bleeding in the eye, or lost it, do not wait for an ophthalmic appointment and prefer the emergency room of the nearest hospital.

• To change eyeglass frames

If your glasses are broken, the optician should be contacted. The ophthalmologist does not remit, and is only interested in the evolution of your visual acuity.