What is the name of the eye doctor in the clinic. What is the name of an eye specialist? What is the difference between an ophthalmologist and an ophthalmologist

An eye doctor works in ophthalmology - this is a medical field that deals with the physiology and anatomy of the eyes, prevention, pathologies of the organ, methods of its treatment. This specialist is called an ophthalmologist. To visit it and check your eyesight, you can contact a specialized institution or a regular clinic. For any eye disease, the doctor will select treatment options to restore clarity of vision to the patient.

• 1. Ophthalmologist, or optometrist
• 2. When to visit a doctor
• 3. Specialization

Ophthalmologist or optometrist

The words that refer to an eye doctor - 'ophthalmologist' and 'ophthalmologist' - are synonymous. The first from Greek means eye, and the second has a similar translation from Latin. Both specialists treat eyes and check vision.

Some time ago, only oculists worked in medical institutions. Later, this position was abolished and a new one was introduced - an ophthalmologist, which was no different from the previous one. The familiar word is still used today.

When to visit a doctor

See an eye doctor for the following conditions:

• nebula formation,
• blurred vision,
• pain sensations,
• acute reaction to light,
• sensation of a foreign object.

Diagnostics includes the following:

• examination of the refraction of the eyes with a refractometer or optical lenses,
• vision test with certain tables (Orlova, Sivtseva, Golovina).

• adults over the age of 40,
• patients suffering from hypertension
• children,
• patients after surgery
• people with diabetes,
• patients using contact lenses or glasses.

Even if a person has no complaints about his vision, it is recommended to check it every six months for prevention, especially in childhood.

Thanks to such examinations, the development of pathologies can be prevented. When they are detected, the ophthalmologist will prescribe the correct treatment.

Specialization

The activity of a specialist consists in the implementation of primary examinations. Thanks to them, you can determine the pressure inside the eyes, visual acuity, examine the thickness of the cornea and retina.

If necessary, or based on the results of the examination, therapy is prescribed or recommendations are given.

The area of ​​specialization of the ophthalmologist includes the treatment of such pathologies:

• injury,
• conjunctivitis - inflammation of the conjunctiva
• myopia - a condition in which the patient cannot see distant objects,
• cataract - clouding of the lens
• blepharitis - an inflammatory process in the eyelashes of the eyelids,
• glaucoma - increased pressure inside the eyes,
• astigmatism - the location of the focus of vision in several places,
• farsightedness - the inability to see objects at close range.

You need to visit an ophthalmologist at any age, even if there are no vision problems. The specialist will diagnose and treat the eyes if necessary.

Since the organs of vision in children are finally formed by the age of 8-10 years, and the vision of newborns has a number of functional features, a pediatric ophthalmologist is engaged in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of eye diseases in children.

The treatment of eye diseases that are not amenable to conservative therapy is carried out by an ophthalmologist.

What does an ophthalmologist treat?

The field of activity of an ophthalmologist includes the treatment of pathology of the organs of vision:

• The eyeball is a spherical formation that is part of the eye and consists of the vascular and fibrous membranes and the retina.
• The cornea is the anterior convex transparent part of the eyeball, which is the light-refracting medium of the eye.
• The optic nerve is the second pair of cranial nerves, through which visual stimuli are transmitted from sensitive retinal cells to the brain.
• Eyelids - mobile skin folds that protect the eyes from damage, help clear the sclera and focus vision, and also regulate intraocular pressure.
• The eye muscles that are responsible for turning the eyes.
• The lacrimal apparatus is the physiological system that includes the orbital structures for tear production and drainage.
• The conjunctiva is a thin, transparent tissue that covers the outer surface of the eye, the back of the eyelids, and produces the mucous and fluid portions of the tear fluid.
• The eye sockets (orbits) are a paired cavity in the skull that contains the eyeball and its appendages.
• Vessels of the eye. The main role in the blood supply to the eye is played by the ophthalmic artery (one of the main branches of the carotid artery), and the eye itself is distinguished by a rich network of blood vessels, so any violation of blood circulation in the eyeball immediately causes a violation of its function.

Treatment of certain pathologies of the optic nerve

What diseases does an ophthalmologist treat?

An ophthalmologist deals with the treatment of diseases of the visual organs and the elimination of visual impairments that are caused by the pathology of other organs and systems.

The professional activities of this specialist include:

• elimination of visual defects (nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, cataract, glaucoma);
• treatment of pathology that causes a decrease in transparency and destruction of the fibers of the vitreous body;
• treatment and prevention of hereditary and age-related changes in the retina;
• dispensary observation of patients with visual impairments;
• treatment of increased lacrimation in allergic reactions;
• treatment of inflammation of the eyelid, change in the cartilage of the eyelid with improper growth of eyelashes (eyelashes grow towards the eyeball);
• treatment of eye hemorrhages that are observed in infectious diseases, etc.

Diseases of the organs of vision

The diseases of the visual organs treated by the ophthalmologist include:

• Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the mucous membrane of the eye of an infectious or allergic nature. It occurs in acute or chronic form, manifested by itching, swelling and redness of the eyelids and conjunctiva, lacrimation, photophobia and redness of the white of the eye. At the initial stage of the disease, the lesion often affects only one eye, pain is felt in the corner of the eye. With viral conjunctivitis, there is a purulent discharge, dryness in the eyes is characteristic of the bacterial form, and when affected by toxic substances, there is pain when moving the gaze and there is no itching.
• Trachoma. This chronic infectious eye disease, which is caused by chlamydia, is characterized by damage to the conjunctiva and cornea. The disease causes scarring of the cartilage of the eyelids and conjunctiva, if left untreated, leads to complete blindness.
• Barley, which is an acute purulent inflammation of the sebaceous gland of Zeiss or the hair follicle of the eyelash (with internal barley, the lobule of the meibomian gland becomes inflamed). It is manifested by swelling of the edge of the eyelid, redness and soreness. It develops with a bacterial infection and a weakened immune system.
• Nearsightedness (myopia). With this visual defect, the image is formed not on the retina (normal), but in front of the retina. It can be a genetically determined disease (an elongated shape of the eyeball) or develop with spasm of accommodation, changes in the shape of the cornea, displacement of the lens during trauma or sclerosis of the lens in old age. With this pathology, a person sees objects well near, and poorly - what is located far away.
• Farsightedness (hypermetropia). With this defect of vision, images of objects are formed behind the retina at rest of accommodation. The disease develops with a reduced size of the eyeball on the anterior-posterior axis or with a decrease in the ability of the lens to change curvature (senile changes, presbyopia). With farsightedness, people can't see both near and far (in presbyopia, people can see well in the distance), and may experience headaches when working near.
• A cataract, which is a partial or complete clouding of the lens of the eye, the natural lens that refracts light rays. The disease causes visual disturbances of varying degrees up to its loss. It is accompanied by a decrease in visual acuity, a change in the color of the pupil (becomes bright), a deterioration in color perception, intolerance to bright light with a simultaneous decrease in vision in the dark, the appearance of spots, halos, strokes and rapid eye fatigue.
• Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases characterized by constant or intermittently elevated intraocular pressure. It is accompanied by a decrease in visual acuity, the development of typical visual field defects and atrophy of the optic nerve. This irreversible disease is often asymptomatic, leading to blindness if left untreated.
• Color blindness is a hereditary or acquired feature of vision in which the ability to distinguish colors is reduced or absent.
• Blepharitis is a group of eye diseases characterized by chronic inflammation of the eyelid margins. It develops in chronic infectious and allergic diseases, anemia, viral diseases, etc. It is difficult to treat, accompanied by swelling and redness of the eyelids, cracks in the eyelids and the release of a cloudy liquid from the cracks.
• Blindness is a complete or partial loss of vision that develops for a variety of reasons.
• Injuries of the organs of vision (contusion, wounds, burns, frostbite).

In addition, the ophthalmologist diagnoses and treats:

• hemophthalmos - hemorrhage into the vitreous body;
• amblyopia ("lazy eye");
• nystagmus - involuntary eye movements of an oscillatory nature;
• leukoma - a thorn that develops as a result of inflammation;
• strabismus;
• spring catarrh (seasonal exacerbation of conjunctivitis).

Visual pathologies caused by other diseases

Visual impairments that an ophthalmologist deals with are observed when:

• Hypertension is a persistent increase in blood pressure, which leads to damage to the blood vessels of the retina. Damage to the vessels of the eye leads to the development of hypertensive retinopathy, in which “flies” appear before the eyes, objects blur and vision decreases (especially at night). A red veil may be present, swelling of the optic nerve head and retinal detachment are possible.
• pathology during pregnancy. Manifested by increased eye fatigue, irritation, dryness, decreased vision and partial visual dysfunction. A normal pregnancy may be accompanied by angiospasm and hyperemia of the optic nerve head without visual impairment. Early toxicosis may be accompanied by early retinal angiopathy, and with late toxicosis, retinal edema and detachment are possible.
• Connective tissue diseases (visual impairments accompany systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, rheumatoid arthritis, dermatomyositis, etc.). There are various lesions of all the membranes of the eye and its contents, as well as lesions of the protective and adnexal apparatus of the eye.
• Kidney disorders. Chronic glomerulonephritis is often accompanied by changes in the vessels of the retina. With a long course of the disease, renal retinopathy develops, in which there is a narrowing of the retinal vessels and their sclerosis, as well as retinal edema. In the macular region, multiple small foci are revealed, which form the figure of a star. Complications of renal retinopathy are hemorrhages and retinal detachment.
• diabetes mellitus. The disease is accompanied by microinfarcts in the retina (similar to cotton-wool spots) and the formation of new blood vessels in ischemic areas. New vessels are defective, therefore they are easily torn and cause repeated hemorrhages in the retina and vitreous body, which leads to a decrease in vision. Due to the formation of scars, retinal detachment occurs, increased intraocular pressure, the development of diabetic neovascular glaucoma, blindness and severe pain syndrome are observed.
• Diseases of the thyroid gland, which are accompanied by unilateral or bilateral exophthalmos (displacement of the eyeball forward).
• anemia. The fundus of the eye acquires a paler shade, plasmorrhagia and hemorrhages form in the retina, exudative retinal detachment is detected, and exudation in the form of a star is present in the macular region.

With brain tumors, multiple sclerosis, meningitis and encephalitis, changes in the visual field are detected, the functions of the oculomotor nerves are disturbed, optic neuritis, paresis and paralysis of the oculomotor nerves are possible.

Visual disturbances can also be observed in diseases of the ear, throat, nose and mouth.

Children's ophthalmologist

A pediatric ophthalmologist is a doctor who diagnoses, treats and prevents eye diseases in children under 18 years of age.

Scheduled inspections

Since eye diseases detected at an early stage are easier to correct, a pediatric ophthalmologist regularly conducts a routine examination.

The first examination of the organs of vision is carried out in the hospital. In the absence of a pronounced pathology in full-term children, scheduled visits to an ophthalmologist are carried out:

• At 1-2 months. At this age, the doctor, during examination, excludes the presence of gross congenital pathologies - congenital glaucoma, congenital cataract, malignant tumor of the retina (retinoblastoma), gross changes in the optical media of the eye and in the fundus.
• At 6 months. At this age, the doctor conducts the first determination of refraction (the refraction of the light beam, which is necessary to focus the image on the retina). Children in most cases are born with farsightedness of +3 diopters, but as they grow, the degree of farsightedness should decrease and reach the norm by 6-7 years. At the age of six months, an ophthalmologist can detect a high degree of farsightedness or astigmatism, which prevent the visual apparatus from developing normally, as well as diagnose strabismus.
• In year. At this age, an ophthalmologist will more accurately determine the refraction of the child's eyes, reveal astigmatism, a high degree of farsightedness and congenital myopia (normally, in one-year-old children, farsightedness is about 2 diopters).

In the absence of congenital disorders and diseases, an oculist examines children once a year up to 7 years. If any pathology is detected, the visit schedule is compiled by the doctor on an individual basis.

Since premature babies are at increased risk of developing retinopathy (damage to the vessels of the eye leading to retinal dystrophy, optic nerve atrophy and blindness), an eye examination in the absence of pathology is carried out every 2 weeks until the age of three to five months is reached.

Diseases treated by a pediatric ophthalmologist

A pediatric ophthalmologist treats:

• strabismus;
• cataracts;
• myopia (myopia);
• farsightedness (hypermetropia);
• glaucoma;
• astigmatism;
• spasm of accommodation;
• accommodative asthenopia;
• congenital anomalies in the structure of the visual apparatus;
• obstruction of the lacrimal canal.

Quite often, one eye of a child sees normally, and the other one sees poorly, and the whole load falls on the healthy eye. Without appropriate vision correction, this leads to the development of strabismus and other pathologies.

A pediatric oculist also treats inflammatory and infectious eye diseases in children:

• barley;
• conjunctivitis;
• blepharitis;
• iridocyclitis.

A pediatric ophthalmologist deals with mechanical damage to the organs of vision.

When to see a doctor

The child must be shown to the ophthalmologist if there are:

• complaints of pain in the eyes (the child complains that sand has got into his eyes);
• obvious strabismus;
• redness of the eyelid or white of the eye, swelling of the eyelids, itching;
• complaints of fuzzy, blurry vision;
• decreased visual acuity (the child, looking at something, squints);
• complaints of pain in the eyes in bright light;
• the constant presence of tear fluid in the eye or involuntary lacrimation;
• "", "" or rainbow circles before the eyes;
• barley on the eyelid, discharge from the corners of the eyes, etc.

The child should be shown to the ophthalmologist if there is an incomplete closure of the eye or the reflex movement of the gaze behind objects that are at a distance of about 20 cm from the child's face has disappeared.

In childhood, many visual impairments can be eliminated, so a timely visit to an ophthalmologist helps to avoid irreparable vision problems.

An ophthalmologist is a doctor who deals with the surgical treatment of eye pathologies that are not amenable to conservative treatment.

The scope of this specialist includes:

• preparation and conduct of eye surgery, as well as rehabilitation after surgery;
• emergency care for acute disorders and pathologies of the visual organs (eye injuries, corneal burns, retinal detachment).

An ophthalmologist treats:

• severe myopia and farsightedness;
• astigmatism;
• cataract;
• glaucoma;
• strabismus;
• dystrophy and retinal detachment;
• clouding of the vitreous body;
• atrophy of the optic nerve;
• congenital and children's cataract;
• keratitis (inflammation of the cornea of ​​the eye);
• scleritis (inflammation of the thickness of the sclera of the eye);
• episcleritis (benign inflammation of the connective tissue of the eye);
• accommodative asthenopia (eye fatigue);
• iridocyclitis (inflammation of the iris and ciliary body);
• barley.

In addition, an ophthalmologist is involved in:

• removal of foreign bodies and calcifications from the eye;
• elimination of inversion of the eyelids and cicatricial deformity of the eyelids;
• removal of neoplasms on the eyelids;
• elimination of trichiasis (abnormal growth of eyelashes towards the eyeball);
• removal of a chalazion, a slowly developing tumor that occurs when the sebaceous gland of the eyelid (meibomian gland) is blocked and swollen;
• opening of the lacrimal tubules when a fungus penetrates into them;
• reconstructive and aesthetic plastic surgery of the eyelid.

An ophthalmic surgeon is also consulted in the treatment of dacryocystitis in newborns.

Eye surgeries are performed in the department of microsurgery, but with laser vision correction, outpatient treatment is possible.

When to see an ophthalmologist

The organs of vision are regularly exposed to many factors that can cause visual impairment, therefore, even in the absence of subjective complaints, ophthalmologists recommend a preventive examination once a year.

People over 40 years old are recommended to visit an ophthalmologist for preventive examinations every 6 months due to age-related changes in vision.

You should make an appointment with an ophthalmologist if you experience:

• dry eyes, a feeling of the presence of sand in the eyes;
• discomfort or pain when trying to look at the light (photophobia or photophobia);
• cataract;
• itching, burning sensation or pain in the eyes;
• increased or involuntary lacrimation;
• redness of the eyelids or eyes;
• blurred vision;
• vagueness of objects when trying to examine them;
• sensation of a foreign object in the eye;
• blurred vision.

Regular visits to the ophthalmologist should:

• patients who use glasses or contact lenses;
• people with a hereditary predisposition to eye diseases;
• people working at the computer;
• patients who have been taking hormonal drugs for a long time;
• pregnant, planning pregnancy and lactating women;
• patients with a history of trauma or inflammatory eye disease;
• people who suffer from diabetes or hypertension.

How to prepare for an appointment

Before visiting an ophthalmologist, you must:

• remember all the complaints and clarify what kind of eye diseases the relatives suffered from;
• do not use eye makeup before taking;
• bring a medical history if the patient was seen by other specialists;
• do not wear contact lenses on the day of the appointment (at least an hour before the appointment, the lenses must be replaced with glasses).

Before the appointment, children should be explained the essence of the examination, since it is almost impossible to examine the eyes of a crying child.

Stages of consultation

During the initial appointment, the ophthalmologist:

• examines the history and complaints of the patient, clarifies the presence of a family tendency to eye diseases;
• checks visual acuity using tables (usually the Sivtsev or Golovin table is used);
• conducts an eye examination visually, by palpation and with the help of a slit lamp (biomicroscope);
• performs an examination of the fundus (ophthalmoscopy).

If deviations are identified, additional examinations are carried out.

A comprehensive examination, which allows obtaining comprehensive information about the patient's vision, lasts about an hour.

If a pathology is detected, the doctor selects a method of treatment or a suitable method of vision correction.

Diagnostics

Diagnosis of the organs of vision includes:

• examination of the outer surface of the eye;
• checking peripheral vision;
• examination of the eyelids, which allows to identify violations visible to the naked eye (redness, discharge, etc.);
• checking the reaction of pupils to light;
• assessment of the condition of the eyeball and cornea;
• examination of the inner surface of the eye using a biomicroscope.

Visual coordination is assessed using a simple diagnostic procedure - the patient must follow the beam of light with his eyes, and the ophthalmologist observes the process and determines whether the eye muscles are working normally.

If necessary, carry out:

• tonometry, which allows you to measure intraocular pressure;
• tonography - a type of tonometry, which, due to a longer scanning period, helps to examine the eye for the presence of glaucoma;
• study of color perception using polychromatic tables, which eliminates color blindness;
• determination of refraction using a set of trial lenses (in young children, refraction is determined after instillation of drops that dilate the pupils);
• keratotopography - a non-invasive method that allows you to determine the optical parameters of the anterior surface of the cornea;
• pachymetry - a contact method by which the thickness of the cornea is determined in its various areas;
• examination of the fundus with a dilated pupil - this allows you to examine in detail the retina and choroid at the extreme periphery of the eye (in hard-to-reach parts);
• perimetry, which allows you to determine the boundaries of the field of view;
• iridology for examination of the iris of the eye.

To diagnose the retina of the eye, you can use:

• Ultrasound diagnostics.
• Fluorescein angiography to study the vessels of the fundus. During the examination, a special dye is injected into the cubital vein, which spreads throughout the body with the bloodstream and is excreted unchanged. The dye enters the eyes with blood flow 9-10 seconds after injection. At this moment, the device for photographing the fundus (retinofot) takes a series of pictures.
• Optical coherence tomography is a method in which the probing of biological tissue is carried out using optical radiation in the near infrared range (reminiscent of ultrasound).

To determine the refraction of the eye, autorefractokeratometry is also carried out - a non-contact method for automatically determining the refractive error of the eye. During the procedure, the patient observes the image, and the autorefractokeratometer emits an infrared beam that passes through the pupil and reflects from the retina. Sensors in the electronic unit register images as they enter and exit the eye, and a computer program analyzes the parameters and provides refractivity values.

In addition to specific types of examinations performed by an ophthalmologist, ultrasound dopplerography of the head, general and biochemical blood tests, as well as other tests that detect infectious or inflammatory processes in the body may also be prescribed.

Treatment Methods

Methods of treatment of diseases of the organs of vision depend on the type of disease and the severity of the pathology.

Ophthalmologists can apply:

• Conservative treatments that can be local and general. With local treatment, eye ointments, drops and injections of drugs into the tissues surrounding the eyeball are prescribed, and the general treatment includes the use of tablets, intramuscular and intravenous injections.
• Hardware methods of treatment. They are used for postoperative rehabilitation or in the treatment of diseases that are caused by optical dysfunction and heavy loads. The most effective hardware techniques in the treatment of childhood eye diseases, which are associated with impaired coordination of the muscles of the visual apparatus.
• Surgical methods of treatment (laser correction, etc.).

For the surgical treatment of myopia and hyperopia use:

• laser vision correction;
• refractive lens replacement (lensectomy);
• phakic lens implantation;
• keratoplasty (corneal plastic surgery).

Currently, ophthalmologists use a number of modern methods to treat eye pathology:

• Laser therapy to correct severe myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism.
• Photostimulation, in which light impulses act on the retina and optic nerve. The method is effective in the treatment of amblyopia, myopia and hyperopia.
• Color therapy, which is effective for visual fatigue, strabismus and myopia. Light waves of different lengths (green, purple, red and blue) when exposed to the retina stimulate its sensitivity and help restore visual acuity.
• Magnetotherapy, which dilates retinal vessels, reduces intraocular pressure and accelerates regeneration processes. This method helps to eliminate amblyopia in children.
• Electrical stimulation of the optic nerve, which is used to treat amblyopia, myopia and strabismus.
• Video computer vision correction. This special training course for the muscles of the eye and retina is used for amblyopia, farsightedness and strabismus.

According to the indications, related specialists are involved in the treatment (,).

Thanks

The site provides reference information for informational purposes only. Diagnosis and treatment of diseases should be carried out under the supervision of a specialist. All drugs have contraindications. Expert advice is required!

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What happens at an appointment with an ophthalmologist?

During the examination of the patient ophthalmologist evaluates the state of various structures of the eyeball and eyelids, and also checks visual acuity and other parameters that give him information about the functioning of the visual analyzer.

Where does the ophthalmologist take?

Visit an ophthalmologist optometrist ) can be in the clinic ( in the ophthalmologist's office) or in a hospital where the doctor sees in a specialized department of ophthalmology. In both cases, the doctor will be able to conduct a full examination of the human visual apparatus and make a diagnosis. At the same time, in a hospital setting, there may be more modern equipment that allows, in doubtful cases, to conduct a more complete diagnosis. Moreover, if, during the examination of the patient in the hospital, the doctor reveals a disease or injury that requires urgent surgical intervention ( such as retinal detachment), he can hospitalize the patient and perform the necessary operation within the shortest possible time, thereby reducing the risk of complications and loss of vision.

Examination by an ophthalmologist

As mentioned earlier, when examining a patient, an ophthalmologist studies the state and functioning of various structures of the visual analyzer. If during a standard examination, the doctor reveals any abnormalities, he may conduct additional studies.

An examination by an ophthalmologist includes:

• Visual acuity test. Allows you to evaluate the ability of the eye to clearly see two different points located at a certain distance from each other. Primary impairment of visual acuity can occur with myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism and other pathologies.
• Study of the refractive structures of the eye. Allows you to determine the functional state of the refractive system of the eye, that is, the ability of the cornea and lens to focus the image directly on the retina.
• Study of visual fields. Allows you to explore peripheral vision, which can be impaired in glaucoma and other pathologies.
• Examination of the fundus. Allows you to study the vessels of the fundus and the retina, the defeat of which can cause a decrease in visual acuity, narrowing of the visual fields and other defects of the visual analyzer.
• Measurement of intraocular pressure. It is the main study in the diagnosis of glaucoma.
• Color vision test. Allows you to determine whether a person can distinguish different colors from each other. This function of the visual analyzer may be impaired in some individuals suffering from color blindness.

Table of an ophthalmologist for checking visual acuity

The first thing an ophthalmologist checks when examining a patient is visual acuity. As mentioned earlier, this term refers to the ability of the human eye to distinguish two points located at a certain distance from each other. To conduct the study, the doctor uses special tables on which rows with letters or figures are printed ( for the examination of the deaf and dumb, children and so on) of various sizes.

The essence of the study is as follows. The patient sits down on a chair located at a distance of 5 meters from a table fixed on the wall and well lit. The doctor gives the patient a special flap and asks him to cover one eye with it, but not completely close it ( that is, do not close your eyelids). With the second eye, the patient should look at the table. Next, the doctor begins to point to the letters in the various rows of the table ( first into larger ones, then into smaller ones.), and the patient must name them. Satisfactory is the result in which the patient easily ( without squinting) will be able to read letters out of 10 ( above) row of the table. In this case, we are talking about one hundred percent vision, which the ophthalmologist records in the patient's card. Then he asks to cover the other eye with a shutter and repeats the procedure in the same way.

When examining young children ( who can't read yet) tables with images of animals, plants and other objects are used. At the same time, for examining deaf and dumb patients, instead of letters, circles are shown on the tables with a notch on one side ( right, left, up or down). During the examination, the patient must indicate to the doctor which side the tenderloin is on.

Oculist's device for examining the fundus of the eye

The fundus is the posterior inner surface of the eyeball. The procedure for examining the fundus is called ophthalmoscopy, and the device used to perform it is called an ophthalmoscope.

The essence of the procedure is as follows. The bright light in the room is turned off, and the patient sits on a chair opposite the doctor. The doctor holds an ophthalmoscope to the patient's eye a device consisting of a light source and a magnifying lens) and directs light through the pupil into the eye being examined. Rays of light enter the fundus of the eye and are reflected from it, as a result of which the doctor can observe various structures of this area through a magnifying glass - the retina, the vessels of the fundus, the optic nerve head ( the place in the fundus where the nerve fibers of the photosensitive cells leave the eyeball and travel to the brain).

Examination of the fundus helps in the diagnosis of:

• Glaucoma. Typical for this pathology is the so-called excavation of the optic disc, which is "squeezed" outward as a result of increased pressure inside the eyeball.
• Angiopathy of the retina. During ophthalmoscopy, the doctor reveals modified, irregularly shaped and sized blood vessels in the fundus.
• Retinal detachments. Under normal conditions, the retina is attached to the wall of the eyeball very weakly, supported mainly by intraocular pressure. Under various pathological conditions ( with eye injuries, wounds) the retina can detach from the wall of the eye, which can lead to deterioration or complete loss of vision. During ophthalmoscopy, the doctor can determine the localization and severity of detachment, which will allow planning further treatment tactics.

What does an ophthalmologist instill into the eye to dilate the pupil?

As mentioned earlier, during ophthalmoscopy, the doctor directs a beam of light into the patient's eye through the pupil, and then examines the fundus with a magnifying glass. However, under normal conditions, light hitting the retina causes a reflex constriction of the pupil. This physiological reaction is designed to protect photosensitive nerve cells from being damaged by too bright light. However, during the examination, this reaction may prevent the doctor from examining the parts of the retina located on the lateral parts of the eyeball. It is to eliminate this effect that the ophthalmologist instills drops in the patient's eyes before the examination, which dilate the pupil and fix it in this position for a certain time, allowing a full examination of the fundus.

It is worth noting that these drugs cannot be used in the presence of glaucoma, since pupil dilation can lead to blockage of the aqueous humor outflow pathways and provoke an increase in intraocular pressure. Also, the doctor should inform the patient that for a certain time after the procedure, the patient may experience pain or burning in the eyes when in bright light, and will not be able to read books, work at a computer. The fact is that the drugs used to dilate the pupil also temporarily paralyze the ciliary muscle, which is responsible for changing the shape of the lens when viewing closely spaced objects. As a result, the lens flattens as much as possible and is fixed in this position, that is, a person will not be able to focus on a nearby object until the effect of the drug ends.

Ophthalmologist instruments for measuring IOP

IOP ( intraocular pressure) is a relatively constant value and normally ranges from 9 to 20 millimeters of mercury. Marked increase in IOP ( such as glaucoma) can lead to irreversible changes in the retina. That is why the measurement of this indicator is one of the important diagnostic measures in ophthalmology.

To measure IOP, the ophthalmologist uses a special tonometer - a cylindrical weight with a mass of 10 grams. The essence of the study is as follows. After instillation of a local anesthetic solution into the patient's eye ( a drug that temporarily “turns off” the sensitivity of the eyes, as a result of which they will not respond to the touch of foreign objects on the cornea) the patient lies on the couch face up, directing his gaze strictly vertically and fixing it on some point. Next, the doctor tells the patient not to blink, after which he places the surface of the cylinder on the cornea ( tonometer), which was previously coated with a special paint. Upon contact with wet ( hydrated) part of the paint is washed off the tonometer by the surface of the cornea. After a few seconds, the doctor removes the cylinder from the patient's eye and presses its surface against a special paper, which leaves a characteristic imprint in the form of a circle. At the end of the study, the doctor measures the diameter of the formed circle-imprint with a ruler, on the basis of which he sets the exact intraocular pressure.

Color vision test ( ophthalmologist pictures for drivers)

The purpose of this study is to determine whether the patient is able to distinguish colors from each other. This function of the visual analyzer is especially important for drivers who constantly need to navigate the colors of traffic lights on the road. So, for example, if a person cannot distinguish red from green, he may be banned from driving.

To check color perception, the ophthalmologist uses special tables. Each of them depicts numerous circles of various sizes, colors ( mostly green and red) and shades, but similar in brightness. With the help of these circles in the picture, a certain image is “masked” ( number or letter), and a person with normal vision can easily see it. At the same time, for a person who does not distinguish between colors, recognizing and naming an “encrypted” letter will be an impossible task.

How else does an ophthalmologist check vision?

In addition to the standard procedures described above, the ophthalmologist has other studies that allow a more accurate assessment of the state and functions of various structures of the eye.

If necessary, the ophthalmologist may prescribe:

• Biomicroscopy of the eye. The essence of this study is that with the help of a special slit lamp, a narrow strip of light is directed into the patient's eye, translucent to the cornea, lens and other transparent structures of the eyeball. This method makes it possible to detect various deformations and damages of the studied structures with high accuracy.
• Study of corneal sensitivity. To assess this parameter, ophthalmologists usually use a thin hair or several threads from a bandage that touch the cornea of ​​the examined eye ( first in the center and then along the edges). This allows you to identify a decrease in the sensitivity of the organ, which can be observed in various pathological processes.
• Study of binocular vision. Binocular vision is the ability of a person to clearly see a certain image with both eyes at the same time, ignoring the fact that each eye looks at the object from a slightly different angle. To check binocular vision, ophthalmologists use several methods, the simplest of which is the so-called Sokolov experiment. To conduct this experiment, you should take a sheet of paper, roll it into a tube and bring it to one eye ( Both eyes must remain open during the entire examination.). Next, on the side of the paper tube, you need to place an open palm ( its edge must be in contact with the tube). If the patient has normal binocular vision, at the moment of bringing the hand to the paper, the effect of the so-called "hole in the palm" will appear, through which what is seen through the paper tube will be seen.

What tests can an optometrist prescribe?

Laboratory diagnostics is not the main diagnostic method in ophthalmology. However, in preparation for surgery on the eyes, as well as in the detection of some infectious pathologies, the doctor may prescribe certain studies to the patient.

The ophthalmologist may prescribe:

• General blood analysis- to determine the cellular composition of the blood and identify signs of infection in the body.
• Microscopic studies- to identify microorganisms that have caused infectious and inflammatory lesions of the eye, eyelids or other tissues.
• Microbiological research- to identify and identify the causative agent of an eye infection, as well as to determine the sensitivity of an infectious agent to various antibiotics.
• Biochemical blood test– to determine the level of glucose ( Sahara) in the blood if diabetic retinal angiopathy is suspected.

Selection of glasses and lenses at the ophthalmologist

The main and most accessible methods of correcting diseases of the refractive system of the eye is the use of glasses or contact lenses ( which are placed directly on the outer surface of the cornea). The advantages of spectacle correction include ease of use and low cost, while contact lenses provide more accurate vision correction, and are also less visible to others, which is important from a cosmetic point of view.

Eyeglasses or contact lenses can correct:

• Myopia ( myopia). As mentioned earlier, with this pathology, the light rays passing through the cornea and lens are refracted too much, as a result of which they are focused in front of the retina. To correct this disease, the doctor selects a diverging lens that “shifts” the focal length slightly backwards, that is, directly onto the retina, as a result of which the person begins to clearly see distant objects.
• Hypermetropia ( farsightedness). With this pathology, light rays are focused behind the retina. To correct the defect, the ophthalmologist selects a converging lens that shifts the focal length anteriorly, thereby eliminating the existing defect.
• Astigmatism. With this pathology, the surface of the cornea or lens has an uneven shape, as a result of which the light rays passing through them fall on different areas in front of the retina and behind it. To correct the defect, special lenses are made that correct the existing irregularities in the refractive structures of the eye and ensure that the rays are focused directly on the retina.

The procedure for selecting lenses for all of these pathologies is similar. The patient sits in front of a table with letters, after which the doctor performs a standard procedure for determining visual acuity. Next, the doctor puts a special frame on the patient's eyes, into which he places refractive or scattering lenses of various strengths. The selection of lenses is carried out until the patient can easily read the 10th row in the table. Next, the doctor writes out a direction for glasses, in which he indicates the refractive power of the lenses necessary for vision correction ( for each eye separately).

Does an ophthalmologist prescribe glasses for a computer?

When working at a computer for a long time, the load on the eyes increases significantly, which is caused not only by the overstrain of the accommodation apparatus, but also by the radiation from the monitor to the retina. To eliminate the influence of this negative effect, the ophthalmologist may recommend that patients whose activities are related to working at a computer use special protective glasses. The lenses of such glasses do not have any refractive power, but they are covered with a special protective film. This eliminates the negative effect of glare ( bright dots) from the monitor and also reduces the amount of light entering the eyes without affecting image quality. As a result, the load on the organ of vision is significantly reduced, which helps to prevent ( or slow down) the development of symptoms such as visual fatigue, tearing, redness of the eyes, and so on.

Medical examination and certificate from an ophthalmologist

An ophthalmologist's consultation is an obligatory part of a medical examination, which must be completed by workers in many professions ( drivers, pilots, doctors, policemen, teachers and so on). During a scheduled medical examination ( which is usually done once a year) the ophthalmologist assesses the visual acuity of the patient, and also ( if necessary) performs other studies - measures visual fields and intraocular pressure ( with suspicion of glaucoma), examines the fundus ( if the patient has diabetes mellitus or high blood pressure) and so on.

It is also worth noting that a certificate from an ophthalmologist may be needed in some other circumstances ( for example, to obtain a permit to carry a firearm, to obtain a driver's license, and so on). In this case, the examination by an ophthalmologist does not differ from that during a regular physical examination ( the doctor evaluates visual acuity, visual fields and other parameters). If during the examination the specialist does not reveal any deviations from the organ of vision in the patient, he will issue an appropriate conclusion ( certificate). If the patient has a decrease in visual acuity, narrowing of the visual fields, or some other deviation, the doctor may prescribe appropriate treatment for him, but in the conclusion he will indicate that this person is not recommended to engage in activities that require one hundred percent vision.

Are ophthalmologist services paid or free?

All insured ( having a compulsory health insurance policy) residents of Russia have the right to free consultations with an ophthalmologist, as well as to free diagnostic and therapeutic measures. To receive these services, they need to contact their family doctor and state the essence of their vision problem, after which the doctor ( if necessary) will issue a referral to an ophthalmologist.

It is worth noting that the free services of an ophthalmologist under the MHI policy ( compulsory health insurance) are found only in state medical institutions ( clinics and hospitals). All ophthalmological consultations and examinations of the visual analyzer performed in private medical centers are subject to a fee.

When is a dispensary registration with an ophthalmologist shown?

Dispensary registration is a special form of observation of the patient, in which the doctor conducts a full diagnosis and prescribes treatment for the patient's chronic disease of the visual analyzer, and then regularly ( at certain intervals) examines it. During such an examination, the doctor evaluates the state of vision and controls the effectiveness of the treatment, and, if necessary, makes certain changes to the treatment regimen. Also, an important task of dispensary registration of patients with chronic eye diseases is the timely detection and elimination of possible complications.

The reason for dispensary registration with an ophthalmologist may be:

• Cataract- clouding of the lens, in which it is recommended to visit an ophthalmologist 2 times a year.
• Glaucoma- an increase in intraocular pressure, in which you need to visit a doctor at least 4 times a year.
• Detachment and other retinal lesions– consultation with an ophthalmologist is required at least 2 times a year ( if complications occur, an unscheduled consultation is indicated).
• Damage to the refractive system of the eye myopia, farsightedness, astigmatism) – examination by an ophthalmologist 2 times a year ( provided that before that a full diagnosis was carried out and corrective glasses or contact lenses were selected).
• eye injury-recommended regular weekly or monthly) examination by an ophthalmologist until complete recovery.
• Retinal angiopathy- you need to visit a doctor at least 1-2 times a year ( depending on the cause of the disease and the severity of damage to the retinal vessels).

When can an ophthalmologist admit you to the hospital?

The reason for hospitalization of ophthalmic patients is most often preparation for various surgical interventions on the structures of the eyeball ( on the cornea, iris, lens, retina and so on). It should be noted that today most operations are performed using modern technologies, as a result of which they are less traumatic and do not require a long stay of the patient in the hospital.

The reason for hospitalization in this case may be a severe course of the patient's disease ( for example, retinal detachment in several places) or the development of complications of the underlying disease ( for example, retinal hemorrhage, penetrating injury to the eyeball with damage to adjacent tissues, and so on). In this case, the patient is placed in a hospital, where he will be under the constant supervision of doctors during the entire period of treatment. Before the operation, all the studies necessary for an accurate diagnosis and determination of the operation plan are performed. After surgical treatment, the patient also remains under the supervision of doctors for several days, which allows timely identification and elimination of possible complications ( e.g. bleeding).

After discharge from the hospital, the doctor gives the patient recommendations on further treatment and rehabilitation, and also sets the dates for follow-up consultations, which will allow you to control the recovery process and identify possible late complications.

How to get a sick leave from an ophthalmologist?

A sick leave is a document confirming that for a certain time the patient could not perform his job duties due to health problems. To get a sick leave from an ophthalmologist, first of all, you need to make an appointment with him and undergo a full examination. If the doctor determines that the patient cannot practice his professional activities due to his illness ( for example, a programmer after performing an operation on the eyes is forbidden to be at the computer for a long time), he will give him the appropriate document. In this case, the sick leave will indicate the reason for temporary disability ( that is, the patient's diagnosis), as well as the time period ( with dates), during which he is released from his work for medical reasons.

Can I call an ophthalmologist at home?

Today, many paid clinics practice such a service as calling an ophthalmologist at home. This may be necessary in cases where the patient, for one reason or another, cannot visit the doctor in the clinic ( e.g. in the case of elderly people with limited mobility). In this case, the doctor can visit the patient at home, having a consultation and some vision tests. However, it should be noted right away that a full-fledged examination of the visual analyzer requires special equipment, which is available only in the ophthalmologist's office, therefore, in doubtful cases, the doctor may insist on a second consultation at the clinic.

At home, an ophthalmologist can perform:

• external examination of the eye;
• assessment of visual acuity;
• study of visual fields ( tentatively);
• fundus examination;
• measurement of intraocular pressure.

When an ophthalmologist sends for a consultation with other specialists ( oncologist, endocrinologist, ENT specialist, allergist, neuropathologist, cardiologist)?

During the examination of the visual analyzer, the ophthalmologist can establish that the patient's vision problems are caused by a disease of some other organ or other body system. In this case, he can refer the patient for a consultation with the appropriate specialist to clarify the diagnosis and prescribe treatment for the underlying disease that caused the vision problems.

The ophthalmologist can refer the patient for a consultation:

• To the oncologist- if you suspect a tumor disease of the eye or adjacent tissues.
• To the endocrinologist- in case of diabetic retinal angiopathy.
• TO LOR ( otorhinolaryngologist) - in case of detection of diseases of the nose or paranasal sinuses, which could be complicated by damage to the eyes.
• To the allergist– in case of allergic conjunctivitis ( damage to the mucous membrane of the eye).
• To a neurologist- if there is a suspicion of damage to the optic nerve, the brain ( visual center) and so on.
• To the cardiologist- with retinal angiopathy caused by hypertension ( persistent increase in blood pressure).

What treatment can an ophthalmologist prescribe?

After the diagnosis is made, the doctor prescribes to the patient various methods of correction and treatment of the disease he has. These methods include both conservative and surgical measures.

Vitamins for the eyes

Vitamins are special substances that enter the body with food and regulate the activity of almost all organs and tissues, including the organ of vision. An ophthalmologist can prescribe vitamins for chronic eye diseases, as this improves the metabolism in the affected tissues and increases their resistance to damaging factors.

The ophthalmologist may prescribe:

• Vitamin A- to improve the condition of the retina.
• Vitamin B1- improves metabolism in the nervous tissue, including in the retina and in the nerve fibers of the optic nerve.
• Vitamin B2- improves metabolism at the cellular level.
• Vitamin E- prevents tissue damage during various inflammatory processes.
• lutein and zeaxanthin- prevent damage to the retina when exposed to light rays.

Eye drops

Eye drops are the most effective method of prescribing drugs for eye diseases. When the drug is instilled into the eyes, it immediately reaches the site of its action, and is also practically not absorbed into the systemic circulation, that is, it does not cause systemic adverse reactions.

For therapeutic purposes, the ophthalmologist may prescribe:

• Antibacterial drops- for the treatment of barley, chalazion, bacterial conjunctivitis and other infectious eye diseases.
• Antiviral drops- for the treatment of viral conjunctivitis and other similar diseases.
• Anti-inflammatory drops- to eliminate the inflammatory process in infectious and inflammatory eye diseases.
• Antiallergic drops- with allergic conjunctivitis.

Operations on the eyes

In some diseases, a full-fledged surgical intervention is performed to eliminate defects in the visual analyzer.

Surgical treatment in ophthalmology may be required:

• with diseases of the cornea;
• for lens transplantation;
• for treatment

Ophthalmological Dictionary of Russian synonyms. eye adj. oculist ophthalmologist ophthalmologist eye doctor doctor specialist in eye diseases) Dictionary of Russian Sino ... Synonym dictionary

EYE, eye, eye. adj. to the eye in 1 digit. Eye diseases. Eyeball. Eye doctor. Explanatory Dictionary of Ushakov. D.N. Ushakov. 1935 1940 ... Explanatory Dictionary of Ushakov

Aya, oh. to Eye (1 digit). G. nerve. G th diseases. Gaya depression (=eye socket). Bottom (visible during ophthalmoscopy, part of the inner surface of the eyeball). Goe apple (actually the eye without muscles, lacrimal glands, etc.). G th teeth (fangs of the upper ... ... encyclopedic Dictionary

ophthalmic- a / i, o / e. a) to the eye 1) Oculo/th nerve. G th diseases. G ia cavity (= eye sockets/tsa) N o bottom (part of the inner surface of the eyeball visible during ophthalmoscopy) Goe apple (the eye itself without muscles, lacrimal glands, etc.) ... Dictionary of many expressions

Eye doctor, b. 1763 in Vienna, in 1812 he received a specially arranged department of eye diseases at the University of Vienna, together with the clinical department. At the beginning of the current table. he was one of the most celebrated ophthalmologists in Germany... Encyclopedic Dictionary F.A. Brockhaus and I.A. Efron

I Medicine Medicine is a system of scientific knowledge and practice aimed at strengthening and maintaining health, prolonging people's lives, and preventing and treating human diseases. To accomplish these tasks, M. studies the structure and ... ... Medical Encyclopedia

Doctor, oculist, eye doctor, ophthalmologist Dictionary of Russian synonyms. eye doctor see eye doctor Dictionary of synonyms of the Russian language. Practical guide. M.: Russian language. Z. E. Alexandrova ... Synonym dictionary

Ophthalmologist, eye specialist, eye doctor Dictionary of Russian synonyms. ophthalmologist see eye doctor Dictionary of synonyms of the Russian language. Practical guide. M.: Russian language. Z. E. Alexandrova ... Synonym dictionary

Eye specialist, ophthalmologist, eye doctor Dictionary of Russian synonyms. ophthalmologist see eye doctor Dictionary of synonyms of the Russian language. Practical guide. M.: Russian language. Z. E. Alexandrova ... Synonym dictionary

- (fr. oculiste, from lat. oculus eye). Eye doctor. Dictionary of foreign words included in the Russian language. Chudinov A.N., 1910. OCULIST ophthalmologist. A complete dictionary of foreign words that have come into use in the Russian language. Popov M ... Dictionary of foreign words of the Russian language

Books

• In Search of the City of the Gods. Set of 5 books
• In Search of the City of the Gods (set of 3 books), Ernst Muldashev. Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor, Director of the All-Russian Center for Eye and Plastic Surgery of the Ministry of Health of Russia, Honored Doctor of Russia, winner of the medal "For outstanding services to…

Vision is of great importance for knowing ourselves and the world around us. Up to 90% of the information we receive is through the eyes. Therefore, each person needs to monitor the normal functioning of the visual system, regularly visiting the right specialist for a preventive examination.

A doctor who checks and treats vision is called, or. Both definitions are correct. Even those who have never had vision problems should have their eyes checked once a year. The visit cannot be ignored, as some eye diseases are asymptomatic and the person may not even be aware of the changes taking place in the eyes.

The list of diseases dealt with is quite impressive. It corrects vision in case of detection of myopia, astigmatism, hyperopia, and also treats such diseases as: conjunctivitis, keratitis, destruction of the vitreous body, corneal leukoma, cataract, retinal detachment, glaucoma.

Who should apply for an appointment

• Those who wear contact lenses or glasses and already have a history of eye disease.
• Pregnant women or those who plan to become a mother in the near future.
• People whose relatives have vision problems.
• Those who regularly and for a long time sit at the computer.
• People with diabetes.
• Persons who have undergone eye surgery.
• Suffering from hypertension.
• Those who have been treated with hormonal drugs for a long time.
• People who have reached the age of 45 and older.
• Children in different periods of their growing up, especially first graders.

Types of diagnostics in the office

• Tonometry. Study of intraocular pressure.
• Ophthalmoscopy. Examination of the fundus with the help of special tools that allows you to assess the condition of the vessels, retina, optic nerve. Ophthalmoscopy helps to diagnose hypertension and diabetes mellitus.
• Biomicroscopy. A painless method that does not require contact, allowing you to examine the structure of the anterior segment of the eye under multiple magnification. A slit lamp (special microscope) and a device that creates a light beam are used.
• Skiascopy. Measurement of the refractive power of the eye (refraction). This method is sometimes referred to as "shadow testing".
• Visometry. It is used to check visual acuity.
• Iridology. Not a very popular method for diagnosing diseases in the iris.

Visual acuity test

The first examination to detect congenital diseases is carried out in the hospital. Then, as the baby grows, they come to the reception at 1 month, 6 months and a year.

The difficulty of checking eyesight in preschool children lies in the fact that a little fidget often lacks perseverance, he turns his head, cannot fulfill all the doctor's requirements, and correctly assess his feelings. With regard to eye diagnostics in children, the following statement is true: the more modern diagnostic methods, the more accuracy is achieved in studies.

Why is it necessary for pregnant women?

During pregnancy, the female body experiences hormonal changes, which affects the work of all organs and systems. And the eyes are no exception.

The retina of the eye is most susceptible to changes that are most often not felt in any way and are detected only when examined by an ophthalmologist. For this reason, expectant mothers in the first and third trimester of pregnancy should visit this doctor. Sometimes the condition of the retina is a direct indication for a caesarean section.

Knowing which doctor checks your eyesight, it would be right to contact him for the timely diagnosis and treatment of eye diseases.