What Does An Ophthalmologist Do?

By Author: Private Practice of Mr Mahi Muqit PhD FRCOphth
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When it comes to your eyes, you don't want to take any changes. When you experience problems with your vision, you may be wondering what type of eye doctor you need to see. Do you need an optician, an optometrist or an ophthalmologist?

There are three types of primary eye doctors that you need to known about. If you experience eye problems, then you are likely to get an appointment with an optician, optometrist or an ophthalmologist. Each of these professionals have varying levels of expertise and training, fulfilling different eye care needs.

An ophthalmologist is a specialist branch of medicine focusing on the anatomy and physiology of the eye. They also treat diseases related to the eye. They diagnose and treat eye disorders and are responsible for making diagnosis based on symptoms. An ophthalmologist also performs eye surgeries, such as cataract and vitrectomy surgeries.

They go through approximately twelve to thirteen years of training in order to be able to perform eye surgery on patients eyes, helping to improve eyesight and quality of life. They are also able to treat eye diseases without surgery, ...
... prescribing relevant medications. They will perform eye examinations, provide eyeglasses and contact prescriptions and are often involved in scientific research and volunteer work.

An ophthalmologist is a medical and surgical specialist providing high quality eye examinations, diagnosis and treatments. They are able to treat a wider range of eye conditions than an optician or optometrist.

If you are struggling with cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, retinal detachment, glaucoma, floaters and more, you will need an appointment with an ophthalmologist.

An optometrist, on the other hand is not a medical doctor. They are primary healthcare professionals that provide routine eye care, such as testing and correction. They diagnose, treat and manage a range of conditions to change the quality of vision for the better.

An optometrist is responsible for prescribing and dispersing of corrective eye wear, such as glasses or contact lenses. They perform eye tests and examinations and identify abnormalities of the eye. They do prescribe medications for some of the eye diseases. If they see a patient that is suffering from a serious eye condition, such as cataracts, then they will refer the patient to an ophthalmologist. Sometimes the optometrist will provide after care, once surgery is completed.

An optician on the other hand is not allowed to diagnose or treat eye diseases. They are technicians, who are educated on the design, verification and proper fit of glasses, both the frames and lenses, along with contact lenses. They do not test eyesight or give prescriptions. They receive the prescription from the optometrist or ophthalmologist and create the corrective eye gear based on the specifications supplied.

Opticians can take facial measurements to fit a pair of glasses, help with frames that will work best, based on your lens prescription, along with checking the eye products order and confirming it is accurate before dispatching it to the optometrist or ophthalmologist for the patient.

You should make an appointment with an ophthalmologist if you are suffering from a serious eye condition that needs surgical or medical treatment, while an optometrist is there if you need an annual eye examination or your need a new prescription for corrective products, such as specs or contacts.

It is imperative that any eye issues or vision changes are seen to as soon as possible, don't leave them. Vision problems can impact your qualify of life, making it harder to work and enjoy hobbies, sometimes even recognising people. You should visit an ophthalmologist before the age of forty for a full eye examination, to assess your personal eye care requirements.

About Us: Mahi Muqit is a leading consultant ophthalmologist, cataract and vitreoretinal surgeon at two private clinics in London, United Kingdom. He provides patients with superior service and support with a range of surgical procedures to meet their eye sight requirements. He has built up a solid reputation for his eye services in the London area as an expert eye doctor and surgeon offering surgical retina, medical retina and complex cataract surgery. He also offers surgery to patients suffering from diabetic retinopathy. Mahi Muqit is a member of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists, a member of the British and Eire Association of Vitreoretinal Surgeons and the UK and Ireland Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons. To find out more, visit https://www.retinasurgeon.uk.com