Eye doctors and what they do
Eye doctors are professionals who specialize in providing medical care for eye and vision. They can be ophthalmologists or optometrists, and they may differ in what they diagnose or treat. Eye doctors play a crucial role in preventing, diagnosing, treating, and managing eye diseases and vision problems. Depending on their training and expertise, eye care professionals may range from optometrists to ophthalmologists.
Optometrists are primary eye care professionals who have completed a Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) degree. They specialize in routine eye and vision exams and prescribe eyeglasses or contact lenses. They also manage common eye conditions like nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. They can also diagnose and treat several eye diseases, such as glaucoma, dry eye syndrome, and cataracts. If a patient needs surgery, they can refer them to an ophthalmologist.
Ophthalmologists are medical doctors who pursue a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) degree, followed by a residency in ophthalmology. They have advanced medical and surgical training comprising twelve to thirteen years. Typically, they complete a four-year-long college degree, followed by a minimum of eight years of medical training. Many ophthalmologists may also undergo a couple of years of additional training to become skilled in treating subspecialties, such as care of the retina and cornea, or branches, such as pediatrics, neurology, and oculoplastic surgery.
Ophthalmologists can treat many eye problems, including cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy. They can also perform various surgical procedures on the eyes, like LASIK surgery, corneal transplants, and retinal detachment repairs.
Both optometrists and ophthalmologists may work in various settings, including private practices, hospitals, clinics, and optical stores. Some eye doctors may also specialize in pediatric eye care, geriatric eye care, low vision, and sports vision.
When must you see an eye doctor near you?
The most common reason people visit ophthalmologists is symptoms of eye conditions or vision loss. Some of these may be:
- Distorted, blocked, double, or reduced sight
- Excessive tearing in the eyes
- Bulging eyes
- Misalignment of the eyes
- Seeing colored rings or circles surrounding lights
- Loss of peripheral vision
- Unexplained redness in the eyes
- The appearance of black specks or strings in the field of vision
- Eyes become too sensitive to light
- Difficulty seeing at night or when driving
- Blurry vision
- Trouble focusing on objects
- Frequent headaches
- Dry or itchy eyes
Often, seeking the attention of an eye doctor becomes an emergency in cases of sudden vision loss or changes, sudden and severe eye pain, or any injury caused to the eye. Certain medical conditions enhance the risk of developing eye conditions, necessitating regular visits to an eye doctor. High blood pressure, diabetes, thyroid conditions, HIV, and a family history of eye conditions are some examples.
You can also see an ophthalmologist to undergo a baseline examination. This examination is a common practice for both children and adults. It comprises a complete eye exam to rule out any issues or risks. Adults must go for these exams four times, i.e., once in their 20s, twice in their 30s, and once when they are 40. These frequent tests allow ophthalmologists to flag any diseases or changes at their very onset.
Sometimes, people undergo baseline examinations even before symptoms manifest or vision loss occurs. People at risk of developing eye problems must undergo more frequent baseline examinations. People using contact lenses must also routinely seek ophthalmological attention to track and manage changes as needed.
What are the causes of various eye conditions?
Several factors can lead to eye disorders. While some are risk or contributing factors, others are direct causes.
- Genetics: Mutations in your DNA can result in various eye disorders. For example, color blindness is a genetic condition.
- Abnormalities in the formation and development of your eyes: These abnormalities may arise early in childhood or during fetal development.
- Environmental elements: Eye problems can result from environmental exposure, including ultraviolet light, temperature changes, humidity, dust, and airborne particles.
- Infections: Eye disorders can be caused by parasites, bacteria, fungi, or viruses, which may spread from other parts of the body to the eyes.
- Chronic ailments: Systemic diseases such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and thyroid disorders can affect the eyes.
- Prior injury to the eyes: Previous injuries can increase the risk of developing eye disorders.
- Idiopathic reasons: In some cases, the cause is unknown ("idiopathic"), though it may become clear over time.
What is eye strain, and how can you reduce it?
Eye strain is characterized by fatigue or soreness in the eyes after prolonged use, such as reading, working on a computer, or driving. Most episodes are transient and go away after you have rested your eyes and taken a break. However, certain exercises can help relieve eye strain more quickly.
Blinking and yawning stimulate tear production, which moisturizes dry eyes caused by prolonged staring. Rapid blinking spreads tears across the eye’s surface, reducing burning and soreness.
Gradually rolling your eyes in different directions and back again can relax the muscles around and behind your eyes, easing tension.
Close your eyes and gently cover them with the warm palms of your hands without applying pressure. Remain in this position for around 30 to 60 seconds and then repeat whenever your eyes feel strained.
Eye exams that eye doctors perform
Here's a quick rundown of the various tests your eye doctor may perform during a checkup.
- Applanation tonometry: This test determines how much pressure is required to flatten a section of your cornea. Pressure readings assist your doctor in diagnosing and monitoring glaucoma. They will numb your eye with drops before gently pressing it using a tonometer.
- Corneal topography: This computerized examination determines the shape of your cornea. It can reveal abnormalities with the surface of your eye, such as swelling or scarring, as well as illnesses such as astigmatism or diseases such as keratoconus. It could happen before surgery, a cornea transplant, or a contact lens fitting.
- Dilated pupillary examination: The doctor will use special drops to dilate (enlarge) the pupil of your eye, after which they can examine your retina for signs of disease.
- Refraction: Doctors use the refraction test to determine your eyeglass prescription. You gaze at a chart, usually 20 feet away, or at a mirror that makes things appear 20 feet away. You'll be looking via a phoropter. It allows the doctor to place lenses of varying strengths before your eyes. You can tell them whether something is clear or blurry. Your responses provide them with your prescription for glasses or contact lenses. The test will also assist them in identifying presbyopia, hyperopia, myopia, and astigmatism.
- Slit-lamp examination: The doctor will use a special microscope to shine a light beam shaped like a narrow slit into your eye. During the test, they may also dilate your pupils. The test can help diagnose cataracts, glaucoma, detached retinas, macular degeneration, corneal injuries, and dry eye disease.
- Ultrasound: This test utilizes sound waves to form an image of the inside of your eye. It aids your doctor in diagnosing and treating malignancies, cataracts, and eye bleeding. Ultrasound is also performed prior to cataract surgery.
Things to avoid before an eye exam
You should avoid doing certain things before an eye exam to ensure that you get accurate and reliable results.
- Don't wear contact lenses: Contact lenses can alter the shape of your cornea, affecting your exam results. Your eye doctor may also need to measure your eyes for contact lenses or glasses, and wearing contact lenses can make this difficult.
- Avoid eye makeup: Wearing eye makeup can interfere with the results, especially if you have to take a visual field test or tonometry. The makeup particles can also get into your eyes and cause irritation or infection.
- Don't drink caffeine: Drinking caffeine before your eye exam can cause your eyes to jitter or twitch, and this can make it difficult for your eye doctor to perform some tests.
- Don't skip medications: If you take any medications, do not skip them before your eye exam. However, let your eye doctor know about all the medicines you are taking so they can consider that when evaluating your vision.
- Don't skip meals: Eat a healthy and balanced meal before your eye exam. Skipping meals lowers blood sugar levels, leading to eye fatigue, dizziness, or difficulty concentrating during the exam.
Following these steps can ensure accurate and reliable results, making the exam process smoother and more comfortable.
Finding a suitable eye doctor near you in Las Vegas, NV
Unhealthy vision can impede basic tasks like working, playing, and driving. Visiting an expert eye doctor at the right time helps one to establish a baseline eye and vision health profile.
Zocdoc helps you do just that! It houses a repository of specialists and allows you to conduct an area-specific search to find an eye doctor that suits you best. Details of their qualifications, experience, licensure, and expertise enable you to make the most informed decision. You can also filter practitioners based on the insurance plan they cater to.
When you book an appointment on Zocdoc, you will have to provide your insurance details or confirm that you are paying out of pocket. Some practitioners require your insurance information when you schedule appointments with them. If you do not have insurance or do not want to use it for your appointment, look for another provider on Zocdoc. Additionally, you can check out Zocdoc's patient help center for any insurance-related queries.
You can also apprise yourself of the languages the doctor is fluent in, their success stories, etc. Zocdoc also allows you to read reviews from patients treated by eye doctors hosted on our application. These are reliable and verified and assist you in choosing the right eye doctor near you. Once you have decided, you can book an in-person or virtual consultation free of charge, secure, and fuss-free.
All the bookings on Zocdoc are accessible, secure, and 100% free!
Statistics of Las Vegas, Nevada
As of May 2021, the State of Nevada was home to 430 ophthalmologists, excluding those who practice pediatric ophthalmology. Nevada was the state with the highest concentration of ophthalmological jobs.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Nevada State Profile, more than 87,000 residents complain of experiencing blindness or severe vision issues, even with corrective glasses. The study also found severe vision impairment in Nevada residents is more prevalent in those with poor overall health. The study also linked severe vision impairment in the state to higher chances of the residents encountering diabetes, arthritis, and mobility issues.
As per the American Academy of Ophthalmology, people must undergo a complete eye exam at the hands of an ophthalmologist at least once before attaining the age of forty.
Sources
American Academy of Ophthalmology
MedicalNewsToday
Optometrists Network
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
WebMD[1]
WebMD[2]
WebMD[3]
THE Healthy
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Cleveland Clinic
