Ophthalmologist

Ophthalmology is a branch of medicine that studies the structure and functions of the visual organs, as well as all possible diseases and pathologies associated with this process. An ophthalmologist is a doctor who has a higher medical education and specialization that involves knowledge of the theory, practice of diagnostics, treatment, and preventive measures for eye diseases.

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Who is an ophthalmologist?

Ophthalmology as a science dates back to ancient times, in the 1st century BC, the physician Cornelius Celsus already knew what the iris of the eye was, what functions the anterior and posterior chambers performed, as well as the ciliary body. At that time, people did not ask the question - who is an ophthalmologist, but simply received help if their eyes suddenly hurt, blindness developed. Celsus already then knew how to distinguish between cataracts and glaucoma and understood the difference between reversible and irreversible loss of vision associated with these pathologies. Doctors used his works and methods until the 17th century. Arab doctors also made a great contribution to the development of the science of vision, who were able to combine, synthesize various information, systematizing it in a large scientific description "The Book of Optics", authored by Alhazen. Avicenna also supplemented the methods of diagnosis and treatment; his "Canon of Medical Medicine" contains many useful tips that help doctors cure eye diseases. Of course, more advanced technologies have emerged that allow not only to quickly establish the root cause of the disease, but also to eliminate it almost painlessly. An important role in the development of modern ophthalmology was played by the Englishman Critchet, and in the 20th century, great doctors Fedorov and Filatov.

Who is an ophthalmologist? This is a specialist with a higher medical education, specializing in the field of diagnostics and treatment of eyes. Narrow specialization involves knowledge of anatomy, the structure of the visual organs, the entire visual system, the ability to use the necessary diagnostic methods and treatment methods. In addition, an ophthalmologist must be able to draw up a program of preventive measures, be aware of all pharmaceutical innovations and, in principle, constantly improve their skills. This specialization is divided into narrower profiles - ophthalmologist, ophthalmologist and optician, optometrist.

1. Ophthalmologist – identifies diseases and treats them both therapeutically and surgically.
2. An ophthalmologist is a specialist who corrects vision impairments and prescribes medications for treatment.
3. An optometrist is a doctor who does not perform eye surgery; he can conduct diagnostics, identify diseases or vision disorders, select glasses or contact lenses, and offer specific correction methods – therapeutic gymnastics, eye exercises.

When should you see an ophthalmologist?

In order to prevent eye disease, in principle, it is necessary to check your vision at least annually. It is also necessary to know when to contact an ophthalmologist, what signs can be alarming signals indicating the onset of a pathological process:

• Defects, changes in the visual field - local or concentric narrowing, scotomas (focal loss of vision).
• Decreased visual acuity at a distance and near.
• Midges, dots, circles before the eyes as a sign of the beginning of destruction of the vitreous body.
• Distortion of the shape of objects.
• Fog before the eyes.
• Fear of light.
• Increased lacrimation.
• Pain in the eyeball.
• Burning, itching in the eyes.
• Dry eyes.
• Redness of the eyelids.
• Redness of the eyeball.
• Swelling of the eyelids not associated with an objective provoking cause.
• A sensation of a foreign object in the eye.
• Purulent discharge from the eyes.

In addition, constant ophthalmologist supervision is necessary for diabetes, as well as during pregnancy. Dispensary examinations are necessary for patients with a history of kidney, liver, endocrine system diseases, all people suffering from atherosclerosis, cardiovascular diseases. Any discomfort in the eyes should be a reason for a visit to the doctor, since many pathologies, eye diseases develop asymptomatically, this is especially important for the elderly, when the risk of developing glaucoma or cataracts is significantly higher.

What tests should you take when visiting an ophthalmologist?

Usually, tests are not taken before visiting a doctor. In order to define the range of examinations, an initial consultation and examination are necessary. Therefore, the question - what tests need to be taken when visiting an ophthalmologist should be reformulated in this way - what tests may be needed to clarify the diagnosis and choose treatment.

What tests may be prescribed:

• OAC – complete blood count.
• Biochemical blood test.
• Urine analysis.
• Determination of immune status – immunogram, immunoenzyme test (cellular and humoral immunity).
• Diagnosis of infections – blood sampling to determine a possible infectious agent, including HSV (herpes simplex virus), staphylococcus, CMV (cytomegalovirus), Epstein-Barr virus, mycoplasmosis, toxoplasmosis, chlamydia, mononucleosis.
• Detection or exclusion of hepatitis (B, C).
• Detection of adenovirus infection.
• Hormonal analysis as indicated.
• Blood sugar test – as indicated.
• Bacterial culture from the eyes.

What diagnostic methods does an ophthalmologist use?

A modern ophthalmologist can use the latest developments, innovations in diagnostics of eye diseases. At present, a visit to the doctor is not just a visual examination and vision check, but a real complex of examinations that allows you to accurately determine the cause, localization of the pathological process and, as a result, select the necessary adequate treatment

What diagnostic methods does an ophthalmologist use?

• Visiometry is the determination of visual acuity using special tables and devices that reveal depth vision.
• Determining the ability to distinguish colors - color test.
• Perimetry – determination of the visual field.
• Refractive tests to detect myopia, astigmatism, hyperopia or emmetropia (normal vision). The test involves the use of different lenses.
• Laser determination of refraction.
• Refractometry is the use of a special device – a refractometer.
• Tonometry is a study of intraocular pressure.
• Tonography is a study of the eye for glaucoma (study of the ability to produce eye fluid).
• Biomicroscopy is a study of the fundus of the eye using a lamp.
• Iridology is the study of the condition of the iris.

What does an ophthalmologist do?

At the initial appointment, the ophthalmologist questions the patient, checks visual acuity, identifies disorders - farsightedness or nearsightedness, checks the fundus for retinal detachment. Also checked for local hemorrhages, the state of the vascular system.

What else does an ophthalmologist do?

• Examines the state of vision, eyes with the help of special means, drops that can dilate the pupil. This helps to examine all parts of the retina more specifically.
• Studies the condition of the tissues of the iris.
• Determines the color tone of the iris.
• Reveals deviations in refraction (degree of myopia or hyperopia).
• Investigates the state and degree of transparency of the optical apparatus, its physical functions and quantities.
• Checks the condition of the optic nerve.
• Involves colleagues - neurologist, therapist, immunologist, surgeon, endocrinologist - in the examination and selection of treatment method.
• Writes out referrals for additional tests and examinations of the eye condition.
• Prescribes treatment and procedures.
• Monitors the patient's vision until the desired result is achieved.
• Indicates the rules for post-therapy treatment at home.
• Recommends measures for the prevention of eye diseases.

What diseases does an ophthalmologist treat?

Before determining what diseases an ophthalmologist treats, it is necessary to specify the anatomical zones that fall within the doctor's competence. An ophthalmologist treats:

• Bulbus oculi – the eyeball, all diseases associated with it.
• Eyelids - lower and upper.
• Lacrimal organs - the lacrimal-producing section (glandula lacrymalis, glandula lacrymalis accesoria, Krause glands, Valdeyra glands) as well as the lacrimal-receiving section (conjunctival sac, rivus lacrymalis) and lacrimal-draining section (puncta lacrymalia, canaliculi lacrymalis, saccus lacrymalis, ductus nasolacrymalis).
• Conjunctiva – conjunctiva.
• Orbita – eye socket.

An ophthalmologist treats the following eye diseases:

• Conjunctivitis – conjunctivitis, an inflammatory process in the mucous membrane, of various etiologies – viral, infectious, traumatic.
• Myopia (nearsightedness).
• Hyperopia (farsightedness), including presbyopia – age-related farsightedness.
• Strabismus.
• Glaucoma is increased intraocular pressure (IOP) and damage to the optic nerve.
• Cataract – clouding of the lens (cataract).
• Astigmatism is a change in the shape of the lens of the eye, a disruption of the structure of the cornea.
• Nystagmus.
• Leukoma (cataract) is a clouding of the cornea.
• Hordeolum (barley).
• Hemophthalmus (clouding of the vitreous body).
• Amblyopia (spasm of accommodation).
• Blepharitis (blepharitis) is an inflammatory process in the ciliary edges of the eyelids.
• Epiphora (retention lacrimation – reflex, neurogenic).
• Drooping eyelid (ptosis).
• Iridocyclitis is an inflammation of the iris.
• Keratitis – keratitis, inflammation of the cornea.
• Chalazion – blockage of the meibomian gland.

Regardless of what diseases the ophthalmologist treats, all of them are somehow connected with diseases of internal organs and systems, factors that provoke eye diseases can be as follows:

• Atherosclerosis.
• Hypertension.
• Nephropathy.
• Diabetes.
• Difficult pregnancy in women, difficult childbirth.
• Injuries, eye bruises.
• Hereditary pathologies.
• Disruption of intrauterine development, congenital pathologies of the eyes and vision.
• Excessive physical strain on the eye muscles.
• Working at the computer for long periods of time.
• Stress.
• Cervical spine injuries, head injuries.

Advice from an ophthalmologist

An ophthalmologist, in addition to identifying eye diseases and treating them with appropriate methods, must give recommendations on prevention and ways to prevent relapses of the disease. The advice of an ophthalmologist should be followed in order to maintain visual acuity for many years. The basic rules that help minimize or completely avoid pathological changes in the optical apparatus are as follows:

• Quitting bad habits, especially smoking. Nicotine can have a detrimental effect on the entire vascular system, including the eye vessels.
• It is advisable to regularly take vitamin supplements containing vitamin A, E, C, antioxidants, and a mineral complex.
• A proper diet also helps to ensure good vision, when the menu includes vegetables, fruits, products rich in vitamins and minerals. The leaders in this sense are carrots, the active component of which can have a beneficial effect on vision only in combination with fats, as well as dried apricots or fresh apricots, cherries, apples, pumpkin, blueberries, tomatoes.
• Maintain a certain regimen that gives your eyes a rest. This is especially important for those who have to sit at the computer for a long time and strain their eyesight. Breaks in eye work every 25-30 minutes significantly reduce the risk of visual system disease.
• Proper lighting plays an important role; it ensures normal vision and helps avoid excessive strain on the eye muscles.
• Physical activity within reasonable limits is also important, since a sedentary lifestyle and physical inactivity are often factors that provoke osteochondrosis of the cervical spine. As a result, normal blood supply to the head is disrupted, and therefore the nutrition of the eyes.

By following such simple recommendations, you can significantly reduce the risk of vision loss, but the most effective way to prevent eye disease is systematic, routine examinations by an ophthalmologist. A reasonable attitude to your own health is what is needed for good vision, it is not for nothing that the ancient thinker Socrates said about it like this: “Good doctors say that it is impossible to treat only the eyes, but it is necessary to treat the head at the same time if you want your eyes to get better.”

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Ophthalmologist and optometrist - what is the difference?

The terms "ophthalmologist" and "eye doctor" are often used interchangeably, but there are some differences in their meanings:

1. Ophthalmologist (ophthalmologist): An ophthalmologist is a doctor who specializes in the treatment and diagnosis of diseases of the eyes and visual system. An ophthalmologist is a doctor who has completed medical education and specialized training in ophthalmology. They can perform medical eye examinations, diagnose diseases, prescribe treatment, perform eye surgery, and rehabilitate patients after surgery and treatment.
2. Eye doctor (ophthalmologist): An eye doctor is a broader term that can describe both an ophthalmologist and other specialists who treat eye diseases. The term is sometimes used to describe doctors who perform general eye exams and provide prescriptions for glasses or contact lenses, but they may not have a degree in ophthalmology. An eye doctor may also include optometrists, who specialize in refraction of the eye (measuring visual acuity and correcting vision without treating medical problems).

Thus, an ophthalmologist is a specialist in diseases of the eyes and visual system who has undergone special medical training, while an optometrist may include not only ophthalmologists, but also other specialists focused on vision and vision correction.