A general practice doctor may refer someone to an ophthalmologist if they show symptoms of cataracts, eye infections, optic nerve problems, or other eye conditions.
In this article, we look at what ophthalmologists do, including the types of conditions that they treat, the procedures they perform, and when a person might see this specialist.
An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating eye-related conditions.
To practice in the United States, ophthalmologists must complete:
Some ophthalmologists undergo a year or two of fellowship training specializing in one of the many subspecialties of ophthalmology, such as:
Subspecialist ophthalmologists have usually completed training that allows them to work on eye conditions that are complex, involve a specific part of the eye, or affect certain groups of people. They also train more extensively than regular ophthalmologists to perform extremely intricate surgeries on delicate parts of the eye.
Ophthalmologists are responsible for the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of almost all eye conditions and visual issues.
However, subspecialist ophthalmologists tend to treat and monitor certain conditions, such as:
Aside from caring for the eyes and vision, an ophthalmologist’s medical training may also equip them to notice symptoms of conditions that do not directly relate to the eye. In such cases, they can refer people for the appropriate treatment.
Many ophthalmologists also participate in some form of scientific research focusing on the causes of eye and vision conditions, as well as potential cures.