Choosing an eye doctor is a critical health decision. After all, you'll be entrusting them with safeguarding your irreplaceable sense of sight and assisting you in maintaining a healthy vision for the rest of your life. The first step in making a decision is to understand that there are two types of eye care professionals: optometrists and ophthalmologists. Optometrists are primary vision care providers, whereas ophthalmologists examine and treat all eye ailments, perform eye surgery and prescriptions, and fit eyewear and contact lenses to correct vision issues. For now, let us focus on ophthalmology.

Ophthalmology is a branch of medicine concerned with the anatomy, physiology, treatment, and surgery of the visual pathways of the eye, as well as the surrounding areas and visual aspects of the brain. While ophthalmology is a well-defined medical discipline, physicians can pursue sub-specializations. The following are the most common sub-specializations:

Pediatric ophthalmology - The treatment of infant and young child eye disorders such as strabismus (misaligned eyes).

Neuro-ophthalmology- It is the study of vision disorders caused by problems with the nervous system, specifically the brain.

Ophthalmic pathology- It is the study of neoplastic eye conditions (also known as surgical pathology or surgical ophthalmology).

Ocular oncology- It is a subspecialty that focuses on eye tumours and cancer of the eye or its components.

What exactly is an ophthalmologist?
A medical doctor who specialises in total eye care, including the diagnosis, management, and treatment of eye conditions and injuries, is known as an ophthalmologist. Ophthalmologists are trained to provide a wide range of eye care services, which can include everything from prescribing eyeglasses or contact lenses to performing eye surgery as needed. Ophthalmologists may be involved in scientific research to determine the causes and cures for vision problems or eye diseases in addition to patient care.

When would I require an ophthalmologist?
An ophthalmologist can handle all of your eye care needs, but you should consult with one if you have a serious eye problem that will require surgery or specialised treatment.

What types of eye problems require surgery?
Ophthalmologists perform eye surgery for the following conditions:

Cataracts - Your eyes are normally clear. Cataracts occur when the lenses of your eyes cloud, resulting in symptoms such as blurred vision.

Glaucoma- This condition is the world's second leading cause of blindness. Glaucoma causes optic nerve damage due to fluid build-up in the eye.

Retinal Detachment- This is a serious eye condition that occurs when the retina, the layer of tissue at the back of the eye, pulls away from the supporting tissues.

What types of eye problems require specialised care?
Here are some conditions that might require seeing an ophthalmologist:

• Age-related Macular Degeneration- This is a common age-related eye problem in which people are unable to see what is directly in front of them.
• Amblyopia (lazy eye) - Amblyopia, also known as lazy eye, occurs when one eye becomes weaker than the other during childhood or infancy. Treatments include wearing an eye patch or wearing glasses.
• Astigmatism- Blurred vision is caused by this eye condition. Laser surgery is sometimes used to treat it.
• Corneal infection- These are conditions that can impair your vision by causing damage to your cornea.
• Retinopathy- Diabetes-related retinopathy is an eye condition that causes the blood vessels in your retina to become weakened.
• Farsightedness (hyperopia) - Farsighted people can see distant objects but have difficulty focusing on close objects. LASIK surgery is sometimes used to treat farsightedness.
• Posterior Vitreous Detachment (PVD) - This is a common age-related eye problem that causes "floaters" or flashes of light to appear.

When should I get my eyes checked?

Another thing you can do to protect your and your family's health is to have regular eye exams. Because your eye health can change over time, it's a good idea to schedule regular eye exams.

Every child should have a vision screening around the time they learn the alphabet and then every one to two years thereafter. If any eye problems are suspected, screening should begin as soon as possible.

Adults between the ages of 20 and 39 should have comprehensive eye exams every five to ten years.

Adults aged 40 to 54 should have their eyes examined every two to four years.

Adults aged 55 to 64 should have their eyes examined every one to three years.

One of your health priorities should be to protect your eye health. Few things in life are more valuable than the ability to see clearly. Fortunately, there are numerous treatments available for common eye problems. Make your eye health a priority by getting regular eye exams from our ophthalmologist at Jehangir Hospital and seeking help if you notice any changes in your vision.