Oculist

Translated from Greek, it literally means the study of the eyes (“ophthalmos” and “logos”). Accordingly, an ophthalmologist is a doctor who specializes in eye problems. Another term has taken root in our lexicon – an oculist, which comes from the Latin “oculus” (eye). Therefore, both names are equivalent and are used according to personal preferences. After all, it doesn’t matter what you call a competent doctor who returns the gift of seeing the surrounding world.

The medical branch that studies diseases of the organ of vision, develops methods for their prevention and treatment, and deals with the anatomical and physiological characteristics of the eye is called ophthalmology.

It is interesting that in the USA ophthalmology and optometry are two related but independent medical fields. An ophthalmologist treats with pharmacological means and surgical intervention - an ophthalmologist-surgeon, and an optometrist deals with vision correction by means of glasses and soft contact lenses with the possible treatment of problems of the visual system without the qualification of a surgeon.

Who is an ophthalmologist?

An ophthalmologist is a doctor who specializes in diseases of the eye apparatus, has deep knowledge of eye medicine and surgery, develops preventive measures, and works with visual system injuries and their consequences. This specialist is a doctor of medicine or a doctor of osteopathy.

The doctor's expertise includes diagnosis and treatment of specific diseases, while the osteopath focuses on the loss of functions and structural changes in the visual system in a particular problem.

Who is an ophthalmologist? Firstly, this is a highly qualified specialist in the field of eye treatment, providing services for:

• examination;
• therapy and surgery;
• diagnostics using various methods;
• eliminating complications caused by concomitant problems (eg, diabetes).

An ophthalmologist has the appropriate certification and license for medical practice, confirming the level of professionalism. Secondly, an eye doctor is an experienced diagnostician practicing optometry and ophthalmology. Thirdly, an ophthalmologist can be a generalist or have a narrow specialization (for example, deal exclusively with the problem of cataracts and glaucoma).

When should you see an eye doctor?

A timely visit to an ophthalmologist is the key to good vision. For preventive purposes, a visit should be planned once a year, if there are no serious visual impairments. You will have to urgently seek medical help in case of an eye injury, sudden partial or complete loss of vision.

When should you see an ophthalmologist? The following complaints will be the reason for contacting:

• pain syndrome of the visual apparatus;
• red eyes;
• sensation of itching, burning;
• dry eye syndrome;
• lacrimation and the presence of purulent discharge;
• foreign body sensation;
• light intolerance, swelling of the eyelids and area around the eyes;
• any disturbances in the quality of vision – spots, flies, dark circles, distortion of visual perception, double vision, veil, flashes, etc.

People over forty years of age who are at risk for developing cataracts and glaucoma, as well as people with hereditary eye diseases, should undergo regular routine examinations by an ophthalmologist.

An ophthalmologist helps with trichiasis (inversion of the eyelid with eyelashes growing inward), pinguecula (a formation on the eyeball in the form of a yellow plaque), barley (purulent inflammation of the eyelid) and other diseases.

What tests should you take when visiting an ophthalmologist?

The need for laboratory tests is determined by the ophthalmologist based on the results of the initial diagnosis. Additional information will help establish or confirm the diagnosis, prescribe competent treatment, and identify concomitant pathologies. Often, a person comes to the appointment with discomfort in the organs of vision and does not suspect internal, hidden pathogenic processes in the body.

What tests should you take when visiting an ophthalmologist? After the initial consultation, you may need:

• blood - general analysis and biochemistry;
• urine analysis;
• immunogram data (humoral and cellular immunization of the body);
• blood diagnostics for the presence of infection (herpes, adenovirus, toxoplasmosis, chlamydia, mycoplasma, mononucleosis, cytomegalovirus, staphylococcus);
• exclusion of viral hepatitis B/C;
• blood sugar determination;
• bacterial culture;
• determination of hormone levels.

What diagnostic methods does an ophthalmologist use?

High-quality diagnostics are an important guarantee of correct diagnosis and competent treatment. Modern equipment and diagnostic systems allow recording the main visual indicators in a contactless and comfortable way, giving an objective assessment of visual functions and identifying the disease at any stage. Based on the data obtained, the ophthalmologist can predict the dynamics of the disease development, as well as suggest ways to solve the detected problem.

What diagnostic methods does an ophthalmologist use? The following is performed in the doctor's office:

• ophthalmoscopic examination – examination of the fundus of the eye using a lens (ophthalmoscopy);
• determination of intraocular pressure (tonometry);
• color perception test;
• removal of refractive characteristics using various lenses to determine astigmatism, myopia, and hyperopia (refractometry);
• determining visual acuity using tables and special devices (visometry);
• measurements of the visual field (periphery) to determine its boundaries and identify defects ( perimetry );
• examination of the iris of the eye to identify hereditary and hidden diseases (iridodiagnosis);
• determination of eye hydrodynamic parameters in glaucoma (tonography);
• slit lamp examination of the anterior segment (biomicroscopy);
• Grishberg's method for determining the angle of strabismus.

When it is necessary to diagnose retinal detachment, the presence of a foreign body, or to study neoplasms, the ophthalmologist resorts to ultrasound examination (US). The electrophysiological examination method (EPI) provides an assessment of the position of the retina, the characteristics of the optic nerve and the cerebral cortex.

What does an ophthalmologist do?

An ophthalmologist specializes in the clinical field of medicine on issues of etiology, diagnostics, preventive methods, and methods of treating various pathologies of the visual organs. An ophthalmologist examines the internal and external structure of the eyes in order to detect pathological conditions - glaucoma, retinal detachment, cataracts.

What does an ophthalmologist do? Consulting an ophthalmologist involves:

• collecting anamnesis (complaints from the patient himself, obtaining information about previous illnesses, features of the usual lifestyle and working conditions, as well as familiarization with existing medical reports);
• biomicroscopic examination of the eyes and fundus, assessment of visual acuity using a set of test glasses, recording of tonometer data (intraocular pressure);
• referral for additional examinations;
• development of a therapeutic plan, recommendations for visual gymnastics and daily routine;
• prescription of spectacle/soft contact lenses (including care products for soft contact lenses);
• referral for surgical intervention according to indications.

In addition to the above, ophthalmologists determine the characteristics of coordination and focusing of vision, indicators of perception of the full color spectrum and completeness of vision.

An ophthalmologist provides emergency care in case of eye injury, for example, in the presence of a foreign body.

What diseases does an ophthalmologist treat?

People go to an ophthalmologist with any problem of the visual apparatus: from pain syndrome due to fatigue to astigmatism and cataracts. The ophthalmologist establishes an accurate diagnosis, the cause of the disease and prescribes therapy or correction.

What diseases does an ophthalmologist treat? The most common diseases under the supervision of this specialist are conjunctivitis, retinitis, iridocyclitis, blepharitis and various allergic manifestations. In addition to astigmatism, hyperopia, myopia, an ophthalmologist deals with such rare pathologies as:

• clouding (destructive changes) of the vitreous body;
• violation of the transparency of light-conducting structures;
• corneal opacity (cataract);
• hereditary and congenital problems (non-opening of tear ducts in infants);
• drooping of the upper eyelid (ptosis);
• age-related trophic changes (pigmentary degeneration and atherosclerotic retinal dystrophy), etc.

The goal of an ophthalmologist is to establish the underlying cause of visual impairment. For example, neuralgic diseases can trigger such eye dysfunctions as optic nerve atrophy. Diabetic retinopathy or recurrent hemophthalmos are consequences of diabetes. Visual impairment is often caused by:

• atherosclerosis;
• impaired renal function;
• blood diseases;
• pathological course of pregnancy;
• brain/spinal cord problems;
• bone and joint changes;
• difficult birth;
• injuries.

Advice from an ophthalmologist

An ophthalmologist is a specialist whose main task is to prevent eye diseases and develop preventive methods to improve vision.

Advice from an ophthalmologist:

• in order to maintain or improve vision, you should give your eyes a half-hour daily rest, accompanied by a simple exercise: close your eyelids tightly for a couple of seconds, then relax and open your eyes wide. Do this exercise for five minutes with a half-minute break. Relaxation of the eyes should coincide with the state of rest of the entire body;
• using a book with small print, move it approximately 30 cm away from your eyes, slowly move the text towards you, trying to read it. After a few minutes, look away into the distance. After five approaches, relax;
• move more and spend time outdoors;
• watch your diet – eat natural food with minimal processing time. Include fruits, vegetables, honey, nuts, eggs, dairy products, seeds in your diet. Make sure you get enough vitamin A and B;
• don't forget about the distance in front of the TV screen and computer monitor;
• you should not read while moving or in semi-darkness (transport);
• get rid of bad habits such as smoking and alcohol abuse;
• when working monotonously at a computer throughout the day, take 20-second breaks every 20 minutes;
• watch your posture, as problems in the cervical spine lead to decreased visual acuity;
• Have your eyesight checked regularly.

Based on the results of the examination and diagnosis, the ophthalmologist will issue individual recommendations on visual load, the use of corrective exercises or special hardware treatment.