A Look at the Field of Opthalmology

If you've ever been interested in the branch of modern medicine dealing with the eye, you're probably in search of information about ophthalmology. While far from the only specialty dealing with the eyes, this is typically what most people think of when it comes to sight and health. An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor whose practice will specialize in treating and evaluating the eyes. Not only will such a doctor be qualified to evaluate a patient's vision and prescribe contacts and glasses, but will also be able to perform surgical procedures such as cataract removal and other complex procedures.

Education

As you may have guessed, it takes quite a bit of training in ophthalmology before one can begin practicing in the field. As with all doctors, they must complete four years of traditional medical school followed by a year of interning at an appropriate facility. From there, a doctor in the field will move on to a residency in the specialty which will usually last three years or more. During this time, the doctor will continue to receive training in all of the facets of eye care. Some doctors will then go on to additional training in a subspecialty.

Subspecialties

When is comes to ophthalmology, there are doctors who practice in the larger general field and those that choose to go on and garner additional training in a subspecialty. One such subspecialty is that of cornea disease. A doctor in this specialty will be an expert in diagnosing and managing the care of diseases which affect the cornea and other areas of the eye. They will usually be able to perform complex surgeries such as the corneal transplant and other corneal procedures, such as those that can correct refractive problems. Other subspecialties include glaucoma, pathology, plastic surgery, and more.

Finding a Doctor

No matter where you live, it should be easy to find at least one doctor practicing ophthalmology in your area. If there are multiple doctors, however, find someone you are comfortable with. There's nothing wrong with scheduling several consultations or interviews to help you decide who you wish to see as a regular patient. If you are in need of emergency services, however, go to the nearest emergency room and allow them to call in an ophthalmologist or refer you to one as needed. Don't wait for an appointment if you need something taken care of right away. If you have a regular family doctor or optometrist, they may be able to refer you to someone.