| should have faith in your ophthalmologist to give u | | | | physician. They can also work as an employee in |
| precise and accurate information about your eye | | | | a hospital or a clinic. According to the Medical |
| worries and to keep your personal information | | | | Group Management Association (MGMA), the |
| confidential and provide you courteous help. Your | | | | average income for an opthalmologist is $349,766. |
| role is to provide all the information you can about | | | | Ophthlmologists are licensed by the regulatory |
| your problem so that your ophthalmologist can | | | | board of the state to play their role in the |
| help correct your problem. Remember many eye | | | | practice of medicine and common surgical |
| diseases can be prevented with timely help and | | | | procedures. Also, they are board certified, which |
| intervention. There are many eye diseases that | | | | implies that they have successfully cleared an |
| do not have visible symptoms for months or | | | | intensive two part examination that tests |
| even years. That is the reason regular visits at | | | | whether or not they are equipped to provide |
| proper intervals are advised. In many cases, early | | | | expert care. |
| treatment of crossed eyes, glaucoma, eye | | | | When You Should See an Ophthalmologist |
| disease, and other types of macular deterioration | | | | You should see an ophthalmologist if any or more |
| can prevent loss of vision or even blindness. | | | | of the following symptoms occur: |
| An ophthalmologist eye M.D is a medical or | | | | •Blurred vision |
| osteopathic doctor whose specialty is eye and | | | | •Distorted vision |
| vision care. He provides a spectrum of eye care. | | | | •New floaters (specs floating around) or |
| Ophthalmologists are trained specially to provide | | | | flashes of light |
| full eye care, from prescribing eyeglasses to | | | | •A curtain blocking light |
| contact lenses to intricate and fine eye surgery. | | | | •An eye injury or eye pain |
| Many ophthalmologists are also doing scientific | | | | •Red eye |
| research and making great breakthroughs in eye | | | | •Bulging of one or both eyes |
| diseases and vision problems. | | | | •Double vision |
| As a medical doctor, an ophthalmologist is licenced | | | | •Loss of peripheral (side vision) |
| and can practice surgery and medicine. He can | | | | •High blood pressure |
| diagnose and treat all eye diseases, performs | | | | •Diabetes |
| complicated eye surgeries and prescribes and fits | | | | •AIDS |
| eyewear. | | | | •A family history of eye disease |
| How to Become an Ophthalmologist | | | | •Eyelid abnormalities. |
| To become an ophthalmologist, a person has to | | | | After the ophthalmologist examines the patient, |
| complete four years of college, four years of | | | | he will be told of the follow up procedures. |
| medical college, one year internship, three years | | | | Recommended Checkups |
| internship in a hospital which should involve surgery | | | | Adults age 20 to 64, who show no signs of eye |
| and medicine. | | | | disease should also get an eye disease screening |
| After internship, a certified ophthalmologist must | | | | done at age 40, the time when early signs of |
| pass a rigorous two-part examination given by | | | | disease and changes in vision become apparent. |
| the American Board of Ophthalmology. | | | | After the initial test and examination, your |
| Specializations | | | | ophthalmologist will tell you when to come for a |
| While all ophthalmologists are specialists in eye | | | | follow up exam. After the age of 65, it is |
| problems and can treat all conditions, some decide | | | | recommended to have a check up every year or |
| to specialize in a specific area of expertise. This | | | | every second year. |
| person is then called a sub specialist. He usually | | | | Your ophthalmologist will discuss your eye |
| completes a fellowship, which is one or two years | | | | examination and if your eyes healthy you may |
| of additional training in the specific chosen area. | | | | not need any vision correction at all. Sometimes |
| Common areas of specializations are: glaucoma, | | | | eye diseases can be treated with medication like |
| retina, pediatrics and plastic surgery. | | | | eye drops or pills. Other diseases might require |
| Income and Private Practice | | | | laser surgery or correctional procedures. Your |
| As is true with other physicians, ophthalmologists | | | | ophthalmologist will make sure you are provided |
| can either establish their own private practice by | | | | with all the treatment you need. |
| themselves or in partnership with another | | | | |