An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor who specializes in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of eye and vision-related disorders. This includes conditions affecting the eyeball, eyelids, optic nerve, and visual system. Ophthalmologists are trained to manage a wide range of eye diseases, such as cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, eye infections, and vision problems like myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism.
Ophthalmologists are unique among eye care professionals in that they can perform both medical and surgical interventions. They use advanced diagnostic tools such as slit-lamp examinations, tonometry, fundus photography, optical coherence tomography (OCT), and visual field tests to assess eye health and determine the best course of treatment.
In addition to treating diseases, ophthalmologists also prescribe corrective lenses, offer advice on vision care and eye protection, and perform surgeries like cataract removal, LASIK, and retinal repair. They play a vital role in preserving sight and improving quality of life by preventing and managing conditions that could lead to vision loss or blindness.
