Who is an ophthalmologist?
Good eyesight makes life easy. Ophthalmologists are, by definition, medical doctors who treat conditions and diseases associated with the eye. They can perform surgeries, diagnose, and offer treatments for cataracts, glaucoma, retinal detachment, corneal conditions, etc.
Technically, ophthalmology is a surgical medical discipline. Some patients may need clarification on consulting ophthalmologists and optometrists regarding eye treatments. The critical difference between ophthalmology and optometry is the scope of eye treatment involved.
Optometrists mainly deal with vision care. They are technically not medical doctors and offer eye care such as vision testing and correction. Ophthalmologists have higher level training and deal with both eye and vision care. They also perform surgeries and prescribe medications related to eye-associated conditions and diseases.
What kind of education and training do ophthalmologists receive?
Ophthalmologists undergo extensive education and training to specialize in the medical and surgical care of eyes. Their journey begins with a bachelor's degree, typically lasting four years, followed by four years of medical school. Afterward, they complete a one-year internship and a three-year residency in ophthalmology.
Many ophthalmologists further enhance their expertise by pursuing a one- to two-year fellowship in specialized fields such as pediatrics (eye care for children), cataract surgery (removal of a cloudy lens), or glaucoma treatment (a group of diseases that damage the optic nerve). This rigorous training equips them to handle various eye-related conditions and treatments.
When should you see an ophthalmologist near you?
We recommend visiting an eye doctor near you if you experience any of the following:
- An eye infection — can escalate quickly and lead to complications, including blindness.
- Eye injury — or trauma by an external object, like a hockey stick, might not show symptoms immediately but potentially seriously damage one's eyes and vision.
- A change in vision or sudden blurriness — could signify underlying conditions such as cataracts, age-related macular degeneration, and retina or systemic diseases.
- New floaters or flashes obstruct vision, signaling severe problems like retinal detachment. If not urgently treated, they could lead to permanent vision loss.
- Double vision — could sometimes be a warning of systemic brain conditions or nerve injury.
- Sudden loss of vision — even for a few seconds, should be immediately treated as it could indicate a potentially blinding eye condition.
- Diabetes or surgeries— If you have diabetes, are considering LASIK or other refractive surgeries, suffer from naturally dry eyes, are pregnant, or are experiencing vision changes, you must consider consulting an ophthalmologist.
We also recommend visiting an eye doctor near you if you recently underwent a nose job and brow lift procedures or are considering cosmetic eye surgeries like blepharoplasty.
At what age should you see an ophthalmologist?
Regular eye and vision exams are crucial for identifying problems early. The frequency of eye checks depends mainly on age. A pediatrician should examine children's eyes at every well-child visit until they start school, followed by exams every one to two years. Adults under 40 should have their eyes checked every five to ten years. For those aged 40 to 54, exams should occur every two to four years, while adults over 55 must have eye checks every one to three years.
What conditions do ophthalmologists treat?
Besides eye injuries and vision loss, ophthalmologists treat various other conditions, such as:
- Age-related macular degeneration is a common eye ailment that prevents people from seeing objects right before them.
- Polycoria: People with polycoria have two or more pupils in each eye. Each pupil has its sphincter muscle and can constrict or dilate independently. Polycoria leads to dim, poor, or double vision. It is a rare condition, and surgery is the most viable treatment option.
- Haemolacria: Haemolacria typically results from a conjunctival injury or an object trapped inside or under the eyelid. Blood disorders, such as nosebleeds, eye tumors, hemophilia, and high blood pressure, can also cause blood-tinged tears.
- Diabetes-related retinopathy: This condition weakens the blood vessels in the retina.
Are there limitations to an ophthalmology consultation?
Yes, like every medical profession, ophthalmology services have limitations. An ophthalmologist does not:
- Correct refractive errors using eyeglasses or contact lenses
- Provide low-vision aids and vision therapy.
- Check lens prescriptions written by your primary eye care provider.
- Adjust and repair eyeglasses, frames, contact lenses, and numbered sunglasses.
- Help choose the correct type of lenses and frames according to your unique eye case and face shape.
If you seek professional guidance regarding the abovementioned points, we recommend visiting an optometrist or an optician. An optometrist will be your ideal eye care provider if you want to get your regular eye checkup or seek consultation for primary vision care. Suppose you want to design, verify, or fit eyeglass lenses, contact lenses, and other devices for better eyesight. In that case, an optician is your correct eye care provider.
What tests do ophthalmologists conduct?
To check your vision, the ophthalmologist near you might perform a series of tests, which include:
- Visual acuity test: Your ophthalmologist will ask you to read from a chart containing lines of random letters whose sizes decrease the further you go down the chart.
- Color blindness test: They will ask you to look at various charts or plates containing colored dots that form different numbers. This test is known as the Ishihara test; based on your results for this assessment, your doctor might suggest further testing.
- Eye muscle test: For this test, your eye doctor will ask you to look at a pencil or penlight they are holding. They will then move around the object; you must follow it by moving your eyes in different directions.
- Pupil constriction test: Your ophthalmologist will examine pupils using a penlight and check whether they respond to light by closing or constricting.
- Front of eye check: For this test, you might have to look into a slit lamp, a magnifying device that helps your doctor inspect your iris, sclera, cornea, eyelids, and conjunctiva.
What is strabismus?
Strabismus (eye misalignment) occurs when one eye points differently due to eye muscles or brain control issues. It can cause double vision, headaches, or poor 3D vision. Found mainly in children, it may also occur in adults due to stroke or injury. Types include eyes turning inward (esotropia), outward (exotropia), upward (hypertropia), or downward (hypotropia).
Treatment options include glasses, prism lenses, eye exercises, medication, patching, or surgery to correct muscle alignment. Early diagnosis and follow-up are crucial to prevent complications like lazy eye or permanent vision issues, especially for children.
Sudden vision loss: Causes, diagnosis, and prevention
Sudden vision loss is a medical emergency requiring an ophthalmologist's immediate attention. This condition involves rapid and often unexpected vision loss, which may occur in seconds, minutes, or over a few days. It can affect one or both eyes and may result in complete or partial vision loss, such as the inability to see in the central visual field.
When you experience sudden vision loss, your healthcare provider, usually an ophthalmologist, will first inquire about the event's circumstances. They will ask about your medical history and any additional symptoms, such as:
- What were you doing when the vision loss occurred?
- Are you experiencing eye pain?
- What other medical conditions do you have?
- Have you injured your eye? If so, how?
- Are your eyes sensitive to light?
- Did you see floaters in your vision?
The doctor may suggest several tests to determine the reason for the visual loss, such as:
- A physical examination
- An eye exam
- Neurological testing
- Blood tests to check for inflammation (sed rate, C-reactive protein) and platelet count
- Imaging tests, such as ultrasound or MRI
You can reduce the risk of sudden vision loss by taking preventive measures, such as:
- Practicing good hand hygiene to prevent infections
- Avoiding touching your eyes unnecessarily
- Wearing appropriate safety gear during work or sports
- Taking care of long-term illnesses like diabetes and hypertension
- Following proper care guidelines for contact lenses to prevent infection
Which treatments do ophthalmologists offer?
The scope of ophthalmologic treatments is wide-ranging. Here are a few treatments you should seek an ophthalmologist for:
- Vision testing: The most common treatment ophthalmologists offer includes vision testing. You may have vision impairment if you have constant headaches or squint your eyes. Ophthalmologists offer vision testing to find the right lens to correct your eyesight.
- Eye surgery: Ophthalmologists can recommend surgery for many conditions. Whether you have a severe eye infection or need LASIK, ophthalmologists can perform the procedure and get you on the right treatment plan.
- Medication treatment for eye diseases: Medication is essential to eye care. Ophthalmologists prescribe medications to treat different eye infections, even for patients undergoing surgery. For some patients who don't wish to go through eye surgery, the only option is the rigorous medication plans designed by ophthalmologists.
What should you expect from your first ophthalmologist consultation?
A team of eye care experts will work on your case during a standard ophthalmic exam. The group usually consists of an ophthalmologist, an optometrist, and an optician. Although each eye care professional offers different services to provide you with a thorough eye consultation, we will focus on the role of an ophthalmologist below.
The ophthalmologist will check your medical history and note the following points according to their applicability to your unique case. It can include your past and present vision issues, usage of corrective methods like glasses or contact lenses, overall health, family history, and current medications.
Before the ophthalmologist tests you, they will dilate your eyes for the most accurate results. Dilating your eyes with eye drops makes the pupils larger. Pupils are black circles at the center of one's eyes. Dilation also helps the ophthalmologist view the back of the eye.
The ophthalmologist will then conduct tests such as a retinal exam, a refractive test, or a cover test according to your case's requirements. After examination, the ophthalmologist usually shares the test results immediately. Based on your results, they shall sketch a customized treatment plan and prescribe you follow-up dates and medications.
What is the primary difference between an ophthalmologist and a retina specialist?
Eye care involves a range of doctors and specialists who offer treatments for vision-related issues. However, deciding which best suits your specific needs can be challenging. If you have retina-related problems, you may feel overwhelmed about which type of provider you should visit: an ophthalmologist or a retina specialist.
An ophthalmologist treats all types of vision problems and eye diseases. They can also prescribe eyeglasses or contact lenses and perform eye surgery.
A retina specialist is an ophthalmologist who undergoes additional training to become highly skilled in diagnosing, managing, and treating conditions affecting the vitreous body and retina of the eye. These specialists handle various conditions, including retinal detachment, age-related macular degeneration, and eye cancers. They also provide care for individuals with severe eye trauma and both adults and children with hereditary eye diseases. This specialized expertise allows retina specialists to offer comprehensive treatment and support to patients with diverse eye health needs.
If you are experiencing any issues with your eyes, the first step you should take is to see an ophthalmologist. They will conduct a few exams to determine if you need a referral to a retina specialist. Healthcare providers often refer patients to retina specialists for evaluating vitreous or retinal conditions, assessing retinal tears, treating diabetic retinopathy, managing eye cancers, addressing macular edema, age-related macular degeneration, endophthalmitis, and eye floaters.
If you have experienced trauma to the eye or vision-related crises, a retinal specialist can provide emergency treatment, including retinal detachment surgery.
Tips to maintain your eye health
The eyes are essential to the body as they help you see. Therefore, it is crucial to keep them healthy to keep your vision intact. Regularly caring for them can help prevent eye diseases and conditions, as most occur without warning.
Here are a few tips to maintain eye health:
- Know your family history, as many eye conditions and diseases are hereditary. It will help you to determine if you're at a high risk of developing them.
- Maintain a healthy weight as obese or overweight people have a high risk of diabetes and can suffer from glaucoma or diabetic eye disease. You can prevent it with a well-balanced diet rich in zinc, lutein, vitamins C and E, and omega-3 fatty acids. You can find them by including the following in your diet:
- Vegetables such as collard greens, spinach, dark leafy greens, and carrots
- Citrus fruits or juices such as oranges
- Fishes such as halibut, tuna, and salmon
- Protein-rich food, including meat and non-meat sources such as beans, nuts, and eggs
- Pork and oysters
- Maintain blood sugar levels, cholesterol, and blood pressure, as diabetes can cause most cases of vision loss. You should see an eye doctor near you if you have diabetes or consult a professional dietician.
- Visit an ophthalmologist periodically if you feel a change in your vision. You may think your eyes are fine, but that may not be true. Often, people realize they can see better with contact lenses or eyeglasses. A dilated eye exam will help to catch early signs of most eye diseases and conditions. An eye doctor can treat them effectively if they are in their early stages.
- Wear protective eyewear, whether playing sports, working in a factory, or engaging in other physical activities. Safety glasses are more durable than ordinary glasses and can protect your eyes in case of accidents. You should also wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from harmful UV rays.
- Quit smoking if you already haven't. Many research reports have linked smoking to eye problems like optic nerve damage, cataracts, and age-related macular degeneration. It will help you to prevent vision loss.
- If you work long hours in front of a computer, follow the 20-20-20 rule. The rule states that you should look around 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds after every 20 minutes. It helps prevent eye strain, blurry vision, dry eyes, neck, back, and shoulder pain, and headaches. Alternatively, you can wear an anti-glare screen or eyeglasses with blue light filter lenses.
Find the best ophthalmologist near you in Bellevue, WA
With Zocdoc, finding an ophthalmologist is easy. You can access a list of top eye doctors in a few minutes. You can search by your preferred location, insurance plan, and condition to find the best one near Bellevue, Washington. You can even filter the results by gender, hospital links, and spoken language to customize your search.
Moreover, you can check each doctor's profile, which contains information about their education, clinical interests, awards, training, specializations, experience, certifications, and patient ratings and reviews to choose the best ophthalmologist for your unique case. Patients also have the option to find in-network specialists by using Zocdoc's insurance checker feature.
If you cannot find your insurance plan listed on Zocdoc, you can try uploading a photo of your medical insurance card (note that this is not available for vision or dental insurance cards). It will scan the image and display your likely plan. If you have difficulty uploading the image, visit Zocdoc patient help center for assistance.
If you have multiple insurance plans, you can add your medical, dental, and vision plans to your Zocdoc account; however, you'll only be able to search for and book appointments using one plan at a time. You can note your secondary insurance carrier and plan details in the provider's notes section for additional coverage during the final booking step. If your provider utilizes Zocdoc's Intake forms, you can add your secondary insurance information when completing the forms online.
Once you have chosen the best ophthalmologist in your vicinity, select the book appointment option, and Zocdoc will assist you in booking in-person or virtual appointments. Based on the doctor's availability, you can book appointments for the same day, 24 hours in advance, and even on weekends.
Booking appointments with Zocdoc is easy, secure, and free!
Statistical data on the prevalence of eye illnesses in Washington
According to the United States Census Bureau's 2012–2016 American Community Survey data for Washington State, more than 149,000 people reported blindness or severe difficulty in seeing, even with glasses. Statistics released by the National Federation of the Blind for Washington state declared that approximately 161,900 people lived with a visual disability in 2016.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's 2015 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System results, people living in Washington state with severe vision impairment are likely to have diabetes, arthritis, and mobility issues. The data further elaborated that about 14% of people with diabetes and over 35% suffering from arthritis and mobility issues in Washington have severe vision impairment.
As per a 2014 research study titled 'Falls Among Persons Aged 65 Years With and Without Severe Vision Impairment in the United States,' in Washington state, around 46.7% of people aged 65 and older with severe vision impairment had experienced a dangerous fall the previous year.
Sources
WebMD[1]
WebMD[2]
Weill Cornell Medicine
National Federation of the Blind
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention[1]
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention[2]
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention[3]
Cleveland Clinic[1]
Cleveland Clinic[2]
Cleveland Clinic[3]
Cleveland Clinic[4]
American Academy of Ophthalmology
Associated Retina Consultants
