Types of Eye Doctors

Eyes are the link to our souls. They are also the miracles that color our external experiences with tangible pictures and colors. Taking proper care of this beautiful gift is of utmost importance. Correct and timely medical treatment is a must for any minor or major ailment of the eyes. Let's learn about the types of eye specialists that you may need to consult at times of need. Depending on your complaint, you may approach the concerned medical practitioner.

Ophthalmologist
The eye care professionals who look after the surgical medical treatment of the eyes are referred to as ophthalmologists. Surgical treatment involves any specific or general type of operations that have to be performed if required. The two common types of surgeries include phacoemulsification for cataracts and elective refractive surgeries. A specific surgery known as laser in-situ keratomileusis (LASIK) is generally prescribed to younger patients, in their thirties and forties. Elective surgeries are those which use an excimer laser source to examine the cataract.

Ophthalmologists are specialists offer treatments to specific diseases of the eyes and help in diagnosing them. To be a professional ophthalmologist, one needs to have four years of pre-medical undergraduate education, four years of medical schooling, one year of internship, and three or more years of specialized medical and surgical training in eye treatment. After all this, one gets a licensed approval from the concerned authority of the state, which establishes them as professional experts. An ophthalmologist is qualified for complete eye care. He can, through examination, diagnose any possible complication. They also help to diagnose ailments caused by other diseases like diabetes.

Optometrist
Doctors who are not required to attend medical school but have only four years of pre-undergraduate education or an extra one year of studies at some accredited college, qualify as optometrists. Optometrists put the initials "O.D" as their designation. Unlike ophthalmologists, optometrists are not trained to perform surgeries or treat any specific or generic diseases. They can detect an individual's ability to identify colors and check for common defects such as shortsightedness, farsightedness, presbyopia and astigmatism. They can also examine and carry out research on the internal and external eye structure for major ailments such as glaucoma, cataract and retinal detachment. Optometrists can also guide a person for the proper usage of contact lenses and glasses.

Opticians
A person who assists the ophthalmologists and optometrists in providing total care to patients, is called an optician. He is expected to assist the patient during and after the treatment, help him recover, and keep an 'eye' on his well-being. An optician has a two-year technical degree. He is qualified to prescribe the types of contact lenses that best suit a person. He also holds the responsibility of looking after the entire process of maintenance and verification of eye-related products.

Some other specializations and sub-specializations are as follows:

Retinal specialists
On the advice of his ophthalmologist and optometrist, a patient has to consult a retinal specialist, who can help in matters of acute retinal problems. Actually it's a subspecialty of ophthalmology. It is also known as vitreoretinal medicine. A retina is a small structure at the back of the eye. Any problems with it can lead to blindness. Age related problems, like muscular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy, are the two major treatments offered by them, though they also treat eye cancer, retinal pigmentation and retinal detachment.

Orthoptist
After seeking advice from an ophthalmologist, an individual can consult an orthoptist who helps in the treatment of disorders of both eyes . 'Both eyes' disorder refers to binocular vision, that is the ability to use both eyes effectively. Orthoptists help people with 'crossed eyes' to correct them. After an undergraduate degree, an individual wanting to be an orthoptist receives a 2 years training certified from the American Orthoptic Council (AOC). A person with problems such as diplopia (double vision), stereopsis (depth perception), amblyopia (poor vision), nystagmus (wiggly eyes), headaches and strain in eyes while reading, must consult an orthoptist. Orthoptists can assist or handle surgical treatments done by ophthalmologists. They are also familiar with working on many optical devices like lenses, prisms and glasses so that they can help people with poor vision problems.

Pediatric Orthoptist
If the eye related problems pertain to children, then we need to consult professionals specializing in child healthcare. Pediatric orthoptists are orthoptists who focus on children and their eye related problems. Both, ophthalmologists and orthoptists can assist a child with learning disability to go through a 'vision therapy program'. Inadequate sensorimotor development and vision related deficiencies in children can be controlled by such programs. Today, 20% of the school-aged children are affected with learning related vision disorders. These reading, writing disorders may be connected to visual problems that may need consultation.

Low Vision Specialist
These specialists are basically doctors of optometry who are specially trained to manage people with low vision impairments. Some of them may be ophthalmologists with an additional specialization in low vision care. These professionals don't provide any treatments but they help the person to retain and utilize the remaining vision to its full potential. Any other sort of advanced medication, such as laser surgery are possible if needed. The person is examined through a series of visual tests,that go beyond regular eyeglasses examinations.

For our eye problems, we have many options to choose from amongst various professionals. Before choosing any eye professional, do inquire from other people who have visited the clinic before. Also cross-check the person's qualifications, experiences, patient satisfaction and facilities at the laboratories and clinics. So, if you have any eye problem, you now know whom to consult, so that these 'cameras' always let you capture the beautiful pictures of this amazing universe!!