Eye Doctor Ellicott City MD preserves and improves vision by diagnosing and treating eye-related diseases, conditions, and problems. They are also trained to treat other health conditions that may show symptoms in the eyes or affect the way we see.
An eye doctor can diagnose diabetes by observing damage to the retina and blood vessels caused by chronically high blood sugar levels. Early detection can prevent serious consequences, such as blindness.
Generally speaking, doctors who specialize in the eye and visual system are called ophthalmologists. They are physicians who have earned a Doctor of Medicine, or M.D., or a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, or D.O. They spend four years in medical school studying laboratory work and classroom lectures, then serve a one-year internship before beginning ophthalmology residency training. During this time, they learn to perform all aspects of medical and surgical care related to the eyes.
An ophthalmologist may also choose to subspecialize in particular areas of eye care or specific patient populations. This additional training takes another year or two and is known as a Fellowship. Some of the most common areas of specialty include glaucoma, retinal disease, pediatric ophthalmology, neuro-ophthalmology and oculoplastic surgery.
In general, ophthalmologists are the first doctors to spot many of the diseases that affect the eye and vision. They also run the most advanced tests and treatments available.
For example, ophthalmologists can use fluorescein angiography to check the blood vessels and other structures in the back of the eye using a special camera. This can help diagnose conditions such as diabetic retinopathy, macular edema and ocular melanoma.
Additionally, ophthalmologists are the only eye health professionals who can diagnose and treat cataracts, glaucoma and other eye diseases. They can also perform corneal transplants and perform laser surgery to correct vision problems.
Ophthalmologists can also provide preventive eye exams, which are important because many of the most serious eye conditions, including glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration, have no symptoms in their early stages. In fact, by the time the patient notices a problem, it’s often too late to save their sight.
Adults should get at least four comprehensive eye exams per year. These visits allow the ophthalmologist to catch any vision changes or disease early and take steps to protect their sight, such as prescribing prescription eyeglasses, or contact lenses if necessary. They can also help patients understand the risk of eye disease based on their family history and steer them toward appropriate health screenings, such as blood pressure or cholesterol checks, to minimize the chance of developing these conditions.
Optometrists
Optometrists are healthcare professionals who specialize in the health of your eyes. They can perform routine eye exams, prescribe corrective lenses, and know when you need to see an ophthalmologist. Ophthalmologists are medical doctors who specialize in the treatment of eye diseases and perform eye surgery if necessary.
In the US, optometrists earn an average annual salary of $133,100 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. In New York State, optometrists make a median annual income of $151,872.
Ophthalmic nurses are medical professionals who work under the supervision of ophthalmologists and other eye specialists. They may be responsible for administering medications or assisting in hospital and clinic operations. They also may be responsible for interpreting test results and making clinical decisions. These nurses can be found in hospitals, clinics and private practices.
Medical optometrists are trained to detect a wide variety of eye-related conditions and diseases, including glaucoma. They use an instrument called an ophthalmoscope to examine the front and back of the eye, and can identify symptoms such as redness and swelling. They are also able to prescribe contact lenses and other visual aids.
Unlike ophthalmologists, medical optometrists don’t need to complete a 4-year medical school program. They typically have a bachelor’s degree and then graduate from an optometry school. They can be licensed to practice in the US or other countries.
In some states, medical optometrists can prescribe oral drugs such as antibiotics and antihistamines. They can also prescribe topical medicines for eye diseases like glaucoma. Generally, these prescriptions are for short-term use and only in cases where the condition is urgent.
Community optometrists are a special group of professionals that offer healthcare in the form of vision care to people living in rural areas. These experts travel to various communities, creating awareness and imparting knowledge about eye problems and their solutions. They also carry out research surveys to help improve public health. They are licensed to prescribe most licensed drugs except parenteral medicine such as injections. They can be found in the UK, Australia and a few other countries.
Opticians
Opticians dispense, fit and adjust eyeglasses, sunglasses and contact lenses. They also provide a variety of other services related to eye care, such as scheduling future appointments for eye exams, assisting with insurance coverage and more. Unlike the ophthalmologists and optometrists, opticians do not provide medical eyecare and cannot diagnose or treat eye diseases or conditions. They do work closely with ophthalmologists and optometrists to ensure that their customers get the best possible eyewear. Opticians typically work in retail stores, private practices and other vision care facilities.
While it may seem simple enough to become an optician, this profession requires a significant amount of training and education to be successful. Those interested in becoming opticians should choose a program that is accredited by the Commission on Opticianry Accreditation and take the National Board Examinations to gain certification.
Besides their expertise in eyeglass frames, lenses and other eyewear, opticians must be able to understand a patient’s needs and preferences in order to recommend the correct eyewear. This is especially important for those who have unique requirements, such as color, style and size preferences. In addition, opticians often work in a sales environment, and as such must be able to provide excellent customer service.
Many schools and colleges offer certificate programs that provide the basic education and skills needed to begin a career as an optician. Students who complete these courses should also obtain a state license if required by their employer and consider pursuing national certification from the American Board of Opticianry (ABO). This will improve their job opportunities and help them advance in their careers.
There are also associate degree programs available that focus on the specifics of dispensing eyewear and understanding different diseases and infections. These programs typically require a significant amount of hands-on experience and will help prepare students for the National Board of Opticianry Exams to become certified opticians. In addition, they will provide a solid foundation for those who plan on pursuing careers in other areas of the field, such as ophthalmic technician or paraoptometric assistant. However, if someone decides to take the route of simply passing the ABO examination, they should be aware that it does not guarantee employment or a good salary.
Subspecialists
Physician subspecialists are experts in a specific aspect of a field, such as eye care or gastroenterology. They have intensive training in a particular area of medicine, and they may be called upon to help with complicated cases that involve more than one field. For example, a neuroradiologist specializes in the diagnosis of medical conditions using imaging techniques, and an ophthalmologist treats glaucoma and cataracts. Physicians who specialize in obstetrics and gynecology treat women’s reproductive health issues, while physicians with training in emergency medicine are trained to handle medical and surgical emergencies.
Many ophthalmologists choose to add a subspecialty to their medical training so they can diagnose and treat more specific eye problems. For example, an ophthalmologist who has additional training in ophthalmic plastic surgery can perform a variety of surgical procedures on the eyes and face. They can also fit patients with contact lenses and prescribe and sell eyeglasses. Some ophthalmologists also train for a fellowship in a special part of the eye, such as the cornea or retina.
These subspecialists use medicine, laser, and surgery to treat various diseases of the eye and the surrounding structures. For example, a glaucoma specialist manages high pressure in the eye by managing fluid circulation and removing excess eye fluid. A strabismus specialist is skilled in treating misalignment of the eyes, vision problems and childhood eye disease.
We surveyed 8020 mid-career internal medicine (IM) subspecialists about the percentage of their time they spend in different clinical roles, including ongoing patient management. We found that most IM subspecialists have a clinical role focus that includes either principal care, longitudinal consultative care or a mix of both.
Several factors are driving the increasing use of subspecialists, such as increasing comorbidities, complex and chronic medical conditions and changing demographics. For instance, more and more seniors are living with multiple chronic conditions, which require multidisciplinary management. This is a challenge for primary care physicians, who can find it difficult to manage all of the patient’s health needs. New healthcare delivery models such as accountable care organizations (ACOs) are designed to address these challenges by paying subspecialists for their expertise in caring for complex patient populations.
