Ophthalmology

What is an Ophthalmologist?

When you or a loved one has problems with their eyes, the first reaction is often to visit an eye doctor. But the term eye doctor is a bit broad and somewhat confusing – there are three types of specialists, all with varying degrees of medical education and expertise, who fit the term of an eye doctor.

• Opticians are primarily concerned with glasses, lenses, contacts, and the like. They don’t perform any diagnostic or treatment services on patients.

• The most common use for the term “eye doctor” usually refers to an optometrist, who holds a DO (Doctor of Optometry) degree. These are the professionals who usually conduct eye exams, write prescriptions for glasses or contacts. They also can identify and in some cases prescribe medications for some types of eye problems and diseases.

• The most skilled and well-trained “eye doctors” are in fact ophthalmologists. These experts are fully-trained doctors with a speciality in the diseases and disorders of the eye. They can do everything an optometrist can, and in addition, can practice medicine and perform surgery or other procedures.

When to see an Ophthalmologist?

When an optometrist detects a potential eye problem, or someone has suffered an eye injury or has a known eye problem (above and beyond needing glasses or contacts), finding a top ophthalmologist in London is usually the recommended course of action. The best ophthalmologists in London can easily be found using Doctify. These experts have upwards of 4 years of speciality eye and vision-related training, beyond their four years of general medical training. They can help identify abnormalities and vision problems, address traumas or surgical situations with eyes and eyelids, treat and manage the progression of glaucoma, cataracts, or similar diseases, and provide all the kinds of vision services that an optometrist can, including regular eye exams.

If you or a loved one has a serious eye concern or wants the added comfort of a true expert doing your annual exam, the services of an ophthalmologist in London are exactly what the doctor ordered!

Common conditions treated by an Ophthalmologist

Common procedures performed by an Ophthalmologist