Who are eye doctors, and what do they treat?
Both ophthalmologists and optometrists are eye doctors who are qualified and experienced in preventing, diagnosing, and treating patients with eye conditions. Ophthalmologists train in the medical and surgical treatment of eyes and strive to prevent eye disease and injury. They address droopy eyelids, cataracts, glaucoma, and arthritic or diabetic eye conditions.
On the other hand, optometrists assess the internal and external structures of the eyes to identify cataracts, glaucoma, and retinal diseases. However, they cannot manage and care for all eye diseases and disorders. Optometrists treat vision problems like presbyopia, nearsightedness, astigmatism, farsightedness, and other related issues.
What does an ophthalmologist do?
An ophthalmologist is responsible for conducting routine screening tests and other eye tests to ensure eye diseases are diagnosed and treated in time. During an eye test, the doctor thoroughly examines your eyes to assess your vision and determine if you require corrective glasses or contact lenses. They also check how your pupils react to light, examine your eyes' alignment, and ensure that the muscles responsible for moving your eyes function correctly. Additionally, they screen for any early signs of eye-related problems, such as cataracts or glaucoma, and observe the back of the eye, including the retina and optic nerve.
Ophthalmologists are qualified to help with eye injuries, infections, illnesses, and disorders. They may provide various treatment options, including medication, surgery, cryotherapy, or chemotherapy in case of eye cancer.
Education and training of an ophthalmologist
To become an ophthalmologist, one must complete a sequence of educational requirements. An aspiring ophthalmologist must obtain a bachelor's degree and complete four years of medical school. After this, students complete a one-year internship and a three-year residency program focusing on ophthalmology.
Post-residency, some ophthalmologists pursue additional specialized training in subspecialties such as pediatric eye care, cataract surgery, or glaucoma treatment. These training programs, also known as fellowship programs, generally take one to two years to complete.
Is it common to have color blindness?
Color blindness is becoming a common phenomenon; an estimated population of colorblind people is about 300 million worldwide. There are many causes of color blindness, and one of the chief reasons is genetic problems primarily inherited from the mother. In some patients, color blindness diseases like diabetes or Alzheimer's lead to color blindness. In other patients, the condition is a result of drugs taken for heart diseases, blood pressure, nervous system problems, or psychological issues. Most patients with color blindness cannot see red, blue, or green colors. In rare cases, patients cannot see any colors.
Color is identified and distinguished by cone cells sensitive to light. When the cells detect light entering the eye, they send information to the brain, which interprets these signals to help us determine colors. The cone cells are in the retinal layer of the eyes. Another type of receptor called rod cells is responsible for night vision.
There are three categories among people with color vision deficiency:
- Trichromats: People with normal vision have three different types of photopigments, are sensitive to wavelengths of light, and can see and clearly distinguish between colors. Some faults with trichromatic vision will result in some color blindness, which is called anomalous trichromats. The severity can vary. There are three types of anomalies: protanomaly (reduced sensitivity to red), deuteranomaly (reduced sensitivity to green), and tritanomaly (reduced sensitivity to blue).
- Dichromats: People missing a whole type of photopigment are called dichromats, and most mammals come under this category. The main difficulty for these patients is distinguishing between red and green. Protanopia is a condition of blindness to the red color, deuteranopia is blindness to green, and tritanopia is blindness to blue.
- Monochromats: This is a rare condition where people are entirely blind to colors and may also have deficiencies in visual acuity. Their world of color is limited to black, white, and gray shades.
Colorblind people may face many problems, including choosing different foods, clothes, driving, or gardening. It is difficult even to determine if they have sunburns on their skin. Day-to-day things like charging batteries, stopping at traffic lights, and identifying green leafy vegetables for cooking are hindrances to simple tasks.
Color blindness can also impact career choices like joining the armed forces or becoming a pilot. Problems are linked to an entire color spectrum, considerably affecting the perception of all reds, oranges, greens, browns, grays, purples, and pinks. Sometimes, black can be confused with dark green, red, purple, or blue. Distinguishing between shades is challenging, from blue to navy blue or sky blue.
However, the most common type of color blindness makes it difficult to differentiate between red and green. Another one that is considered a tough one is distinguishing between blue and yellow. Early detection in children is crucial before they begin schooling since learning materials mostly rely on the perception of color and color coding. Children may try to hide their color vision deficiency.
An optometrist can help evaluate color deficiency in children. People with a family history of color blindness are at high risk. Males are primarily known to have a higher risk than females. The severity is known to remain constant and does not lead to blindness. While color blindness has no cure, finding an eye doctor for a comprehensive diagnosis is imperative. During a color blindness test, the doctor shows a series of colored dots called pseudo-isochromatic plates to the patient. Based on the results, the testing can determine if the deficiency exists and what type it is.
There are various tests, like the color plate test, which is one of the most common tests for color blindness. The anomaloscope test usually checks the brightness level. Some specific testing is necessary for accurate color vision, and this test is called a hue test, mainly used for careers like photography or designing. The eye doctor may recommend glasses or contact lenses to help differentiate between colors. These days, with innovative technology, there are apps to help the color blind with the colors of different objects and various visual aids, allowing them to adjust to everyday life.
How often should I schedule an appointment with an eye doctor?
Regular eye examinations with a skilled eye doctor near you are essential for the early detection of ocular issues. The recommended frequency of eye exams typically varies with your age:
- Children: An eye care specialist should conduct an initial eye examination for your child within the first year of life, followed by subsequent check-ups every one to two years.
- Adults (Aged 18-55): Adults in this age group should have their eyes examined every one to two years.
- Adults (Over 55): Individuals aged 55 and older should schedule an annual eye examination.
Remember that you may require more frequent eye exams if you wear glasses, contact lenses, or rely on another type of visual aid. Feel free to consult your optometrist or healthcare provider to determine if more frequent eye exams are necessary for your visual needs and health.
Preparing for your eye doctor appointment: A step-by-step guide
Are you facing troublesome eye symptoms? Are you long overdue for your routine eye exam? Then, you must book an appointment with an eye doctor near you without delay for early diagnosis and treatment of eye conditions. Once you finish scheduling, you can start preparing for the visit to get the most out of it. If you are not sure where to begin, the following guide is all you need:
Step 1: Write down your symptoms
Whether you are experiencing eye strain, blurry vision, dry eyes, light sensitivity, severe headaches, or any other symptoms, ensure to make detailed notes about them. You can answer questions such as: When did you first notice your symptoms? How severe are they? How are they affecting your daily activities? Writing it down will help you effectively communicate your issues with your eye doctor.
Step 2: Carry a list of your medications
Make a list of all your medications, including prescription, over-the-counter, or supplements for your eye doctor's reference.
Step 3: Know your family history
Various eye conditions such as cataracts, glaucoma, color blindness, amblyopia, strabismus, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and diabetic retinopathy are genetic. If you inform your eye doctor about the eye conditions in your immediate family, they can help you take the necessary steps to prevent or delay them.
Step 4: Bring your current eye prescription
Do you wear glasses or contact lenses? Please remember to carry them with you. The eye doctor will assess your vision in your current corrective eyewear to check if it is the same or altered.
Step 5: Follow the recommended do's and don'ts
On the day of your eye exam, you can remember specific tips to ensure a smooth, hassle-free experience.
Do's:
- Get plenty of rest, drink enough water to avoid dry eyes, and maximize overall comfort during the eye exam.
- Carry a pair of sunglasses to wear after your pupil dilation test.
- Write down all the queries you wish to address.
Don'ts:
- Strain your eyes, as this can cause more eye fatigue during and after the exam. So, skip excessive reading, screen time, or driving.
- Drink coffee or alcohol as it can shoot up your blood pressure and lead to inaccurate results.
How do you care for your eyes?
To maintain healthy eyes and optimal vision, consider these essential eye care tips:
- Balanced diet: Consume a well-rounded diet comprising fresh fruits and vegetables, especially those with deep yellow and green leafy variations. Omega-3 fatty acid-packed fish like salmon, tuna, and halibut can also positively affect eye health.
- Healthy weight: Maintaining an appropriate weight is crucial, as obesity can raise the risk of diabetes. Diabetes, in turn, increases the likelihood of diabetic retinopathy or glaucoma.
- Regular exercise: Physical movement can help prevent or manage high blood pressure, diabetes, and cholesterol. These health issues are associated with eye and vision problems, making exercise an essential preventive measure.
- Sunglasses: Harmful sun exposure can lead to cataracts and age-related macular degeneration. Sunglasses can help protect your eyes from the sun's harmful UV rays.
- Protective eyewear: When participating in sports, working in fields like construction or factory jobs, or performing household repairs or projects, safeguard your eyes with appropriate protective gear to prevent injuries.
- Avoid smoking: Smoking significantly heightens the risk of age-related eye conditions. It can also harm the optic nerve.
- Family medical history: Investigate your family's medical history to identify any hereditary eye diseases, enabling early detection and management of potential risks.
- Risk awareness: Your susceptibility to age-related eye conditions increases as you age. Recognize your risk factors and consider behavior modifications to lower these risks.
- Contact lens: Take precautions to prevent eye infections. Adhere to proper hygiene, wash your hands before handling your lenses, and follow cleaning instructions meticulously. Replace your lenses as recommended.
- Eye rest: Prolonged computer use can strain your eyes due to reduced blinking. Alleviate eye strain by following the famous 20-20-20 rule. According to this rule, every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break and then stare at an object 20 feet away.
Following these eye care guidelines promotes and maintains optimal eye health and protects your vision.
Where can you find the best eye doctor near you in Seattle, WA?
You may research different providers near you by evaluating the costs associated with the visit, experience, the latest technology they use, and patient reviews. A convenient way to find the best eye doctor in Seattle is through Zocdoc. Zocdoc can help you look for a qualified eye doctor in your city.
An advantage of Zocdoc is you can compare different eye specialists in your area based on your location and check their availability. Zocdoc's mission is to give power to the patient. Patients can use Zocdoc to see which provider may fit their needs by browsing through verified reviews and personal profiles, including their specialty, education, training, certification, and awards.
Moreover, based on insurance plans, patients can search for in-network providers. You can now book an in-person appointment or a video consultation, depending on your schedule. Check for same-day appointments and choose an eye doctor near you that takes your healthcare experience seriously. Remember that even if you have added your insurance information to your Zocdoc account, you must carry your insurance card to your initial appointment to complete the necessary paperwork. If you have more insurance-related questions, please review our patient help center page.
All bookings on Zocdoc are safe, secure, and free!
Statistics for color blindness in Washington
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data, Washington has reported more than 149,000 people with blindness. As for color blindness, 1 in 12 men and 1 in 200 women have it. It is mainly due to inherited color blindness.
Although the mother may not be color blind, she can be a 'carrier' since the condition passes through one of the chromosomes.
Approximately 0.5% of women are known to have a color deficiency. About 8% of white males are known to have color blindness. A probable cure in the long term that may allow patients to look at the world differently is through gene therapy, which may work to cure red-green color blindness. This therapy has proven to be successful when tested on animals.
Sources
WebMD
University of Washington[1]
University of Washington[2]
National Library of Medicine[1]
National Eye Institute
American Optometric Association
Colour Blind Awareness
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Cleveland Clinic
National Library of Medicine[2]
Precision Optometry
Kraff Eye Institute
San Clemente Optometry
Loden Vision Centers
Total Vision
