Ophthalmologist

Question: Ophthalmologist?? What clases in high school, and more importantly what major/minor/classes do i take in college to become an ophthalmologist. Also do you know any good colleges to go for this?

Answer: An opthalmologist is still an M.D. just with a specialization. So in high school you need to take lots of math and sciences, in college anything pre-med, then go to med school, then to internship, then residency, then group or private practice, etc. You can google search for med schools with opthalmic specializations, or just go talk to someone who is one, and find out what they think.

Question: How do I find a good Ophthalmologist in Southern California? How about California? I wore contact lens for couple of years back in around 2001. After that when I sleep, sometimes I wake up due to pain in my eye, when my eye ball move(probably from rem sleep) and feels like inside of my eye lid is stuck to my eye ball. I immediately get lots of discharge from my eye. After a while(maybe 10 minutes), pain goes away and discharge stops and feel normal and I go back to sleep. I haven't worn contact lens for about 4 years because of it but seems this symptom persists. I only have this problem when I sleep. Sometimes my eyes are very sensative to light as well. How do I find a good Ophthalmologist to treat this symptom? Anywhere in Southern California(LA, OC, riverside, Sanbernardino). Thanks.

Answer: I am good.

Question: What the difference between an ophthalmologist and a orthokeratologist? I have had keratits so I can't see a regular optometrist. My doctor that I have been seeing is a ophthalmologist (eye surgeon) but I was downtown and saw that someone is a orthokeratologist. Obviously my condition shares a root word with one in the other type of doctor. What does a orthokeratologist do, and should I get that person instead of my ophthalmologist?

Answer: I think you should be sticking with your ophthalmologist. They are M.D.s and check your eyes for EVERYTHING. Orthokeratologists specialize in giving you gas permeable hard contact lenses to wear at night so you can see clearly during the day. :)

Question: Whats the difference between an optometrist and ophthalmologist? I forgot,I know its similar to Psychiatrist and Psychologist but Idr the exact ones for optometrist and ophthalmologist lol

Answer: An optometrist is someone who has been trained to test eyesight for the purpose of prescribing prescriptive lenses if needed. An opthamologist on the other hand is a real doctor who has gone through medical school and internship, then specialized in conditions of the eyes. They can diagnose and treat pretty well all conditions relating to they eyes: it is a highly specific medical specialty. // Optometrists are not doctors.

Question: How hard is it to become an ophthalmologist? I know it takes effort, I just want to know what steps are needed to become an ophthalmologist and how to achieve those steps.

Answer: That is an MD--so a bachelors degree in a pre-med curricula, MCAT exam, 4 years med school, 4 years + residency......It's as hard as becoming any other doctor....hard & expensive.

Question: What is it like to be an ophthalmologist? I am trying to choose between studying to become an optometrist or an ophthalmologist. What's the difference between the two? Also, what are the working hours like for an ophthalmologist?

Answer: The major difference is that optometrists go to optometrist school; they do the basic eye exam, refraction, and write prescriptions for corrective lens or contacts. They can not prescribe medications. The ophthalmologist is a medical doctor. They attend med school & then do a residency in ophthalmology. They do surgery & prescribe drugs & deal with complex eye problems (such as retinal problems, cornea transplants, optic neural diseases etc). Their working hours depend on their practices.

Question: What major should i choose in undergrad studies to become an ophthalmologist? I'm applying to a lot of universities in MD and I'm wondering what major i should choose to best prepare me to become an ophthalmologist later in life...

Answer: You can choose an Major, so long as you also complete pre-med courses during your undergraduate studies. There is one reason to be careful about Majors. That is the probability for most students that they won't make it to Medical School. Too many students take a broad degree in Biology for example, then end up with a nearly useless degree if they don't make it to Medical School. Best "fallback" would be an Engineering degree. Optical Engineering might be a very good option for someone specifically wanting to be an Ophthalmologist (or Optometrist).

Question: Where do I get a referral letter in order to see the ophthalmologist? So I wanted to see this ophthalmologist in some Ophthalmology Clinic but when I called in for an appointment, the receptionist said I need a referral letter in order for me to make an appointment with the eye specialist. I have no idea where to go to get this referral letter? Do I have to go to like another hospital and see another doctor for the referral letter or what? I don't get it? This is the first time seeing an ophthalmologist so I have no clue?

Answer: Your primary care physician is actually the one who can refer you to an ophthalmologist.

Question: How much is malpractice for a general family doctor or ophthalmologist? How much is malpractice for a general family doctor or ophthalmologist? Thanks! Yes, I mean how much is the cost of malpractice. Any general estimate will do.

Answer: Do you mean the cost of malpractice insurance? That is highly dependent upon the history of the practitioner, the practice setting, and the volume of patients seen.

Question: How soon after the ophthalmologist do I get my glasses? I have an appointment on the 27th of December with an ophthalmologist. Do I go directly to the optometrist from there, or what? And how do I get an appointment with him? How soon please! my eyes are killing me.

Answer: Normally you go straight from your appointment to picking out your glasses. Depending on your prescription and on the place you go to, you can have your glasses in a few hours, or in a few days

Question: Can an Ophthalmologist be blind in one eye? I'm a high school student who has been to the Ophthalmologist too many times. I'm now starting to think of possible careers and majors. Being blind in one eye and visiting the Ophthalmologist numerous times has perked my interest in how an eye functions. So does an Ophthalmologist need to have 20/20 in both eyes to fulfill daily tasks?

Answer: I had a classmate in optometry school that was blind in one eye. It certainly is a disadvantage because some techniques to examine the eye require binocular vision. He overcame it and there is a lot more technology available now that makes it less of an issue. If ophthalmology interests you, take pre-med classes in college. You will have to go to medical school to become an ophthalmologist. Premed classes will also prepare you for optometry school. There are ophthalmologists that don't do surgery. They only treat conditions that can be treated with medications. There are also optometrists that don't prescribe any glasses or contacts. They only treat eye diseases that can be treated with medications. I think it would be a violation of the ADA to keep you out of a program based on some physical characteristic unless it could be proved that you would be unable to perform.

Question: Is it better to consult an ophthalmologist or an optometrist? My right eye seems to be doing fine but my left eye's vision is not so good. The descriptions for an ophthalmologist and an optometrist seem to have no difference. I want to know who shall I consult.

Answer: Once again, Footprints is right. If you are having problems with vision in your one eye, go to the Optometrist. Have he or she check it out. If it is something that requires treatment beyond the optometrist's capabilities, then he will refer you to an Ophthalmologist. Chances are, that you need some type of corrective lens and if that is the case, trust me...you'll want to see the Optometrist for that, rather than the Ophthalmologist. And besides, most Ophthalmologists will refer back to an Optometrist for the refraction anyway because they know the Optometrist is more qualified in that area. When i worked in an Ophthalmologist's practice, our MD's ALWAYS referred patients back to the referring OD for a refraction (post cataract patients, LASIK patients, etc.)

Question: Anyone gone to see a pediatric ophthalmologist with their baby? My daughter has uneven pupils and my dr already ruled out that it wasn't horners syndrome so he has referred us to a pediatric ophthalmologist. Her appointment is tomorrow morning and I'm super nervous as to what they will be doing to her and what the possible outcome will be. It's just weird because the pupil that is bigger is the one that she had the blocked tear duct in which finally unclogged when she was 3 months old, she is now 5 months.So has anyone gone to one and what do they do?

Answer: They start with numbing eyedrops, immediately followed by the dilation drops. They baby might cry at the first drops, as they sting a little, but they are numbing, after all, so the next ones go fine. About 20 - 30 minutes later they will do an exam. I always found it easier on my son and myself to let the nurse hold him, so I wouldn't be in the way. They use a little plastic thing to hold the eyelids open for the exam. It looks more painful than it really is. The whole process is fairly fast, and should be relatively stress free. Good luck!

Question: How long does it take to be an ophthalmologist? How long does it take to be an ophthalmologist after high school including bachelor school?

Answer: 4 years of medical school then DEPENDS: if you get it as your residency right away after medical school then 4 more years but if you do not then: people either do their residency for 1 year then reapply or complete their residency then apply. Ophthalmology is one of the most competitive residency to get into after medical school.

Question: I was just diagnosed with Diabetes and now my doctor wants me to see an Ophthalmologist? I am a 50 year old female who has just been diagnosed with Diabetes. We are going to try to control it with proper diet for now. My doctor gave me a referral to make an appointment with an ophthalmologist because Diabetes can lead to eye problems. What can I expect from my visit to the Ophthalmologist?

Answer: Your eye doc will dilate your eyes so that he/she can check for retinopathy, glaucoma and macular degeneration. They will either use an "air puff" test for glaucoma or they will numb your eyes and use a different device. They will also test your vision using the eye chart. My doc also took a picture of the back of my eye which is how they discovered my retinopathy. I was then referred to a retina surgeon for laser treatments. I think you will find the following articles helpful as they discuss diabetes and diabetic eye diseases. Good luck! ***21+ years as a Type 1 diabetic with a parent who is Type 2

Question: How to become an ophthalmologist? Do we need to have a medical degree to become one? Or is it like the dentist? Can an optometrist become an ophthalmologist? how??

Answer: You must go to medical school to become an Opthalmologist. It requires a specialty residency program after medical school. An optometrist can only become an opthalmologist by going through the same process.....medical school and residency.

Question: What is the difference between an optician, optometrist, and ophthalmologist? What is the difference between? What is the difference between an optician, optometrist, and ophthalmologist? there are more dificult question but simple ans, here http://helppoint.in.googlepages.com plz also check it to diff. unique questions, hw can one ans them?

Answer: Optician: Definition: One that makes lenses and eyeglasses. One that sells lenses, eyeglasses, and other optical instruments. They analyze and interpret prescriptions written by ophthalmologists or optometrists to determine which eyeglasses or contact lenses are best suited to the patient's lifestyle and visual needs. may manufacture (grind) lenses from raw materials and cut them to fit into the frame. Licensing/Eduction: may hold an associate opticianry degree or may have apprenticed for a required number of hours. Unlike optometrists and ophthamologists, opticians do not require a license and cannot conduct eye exams or treat patients. Optometrist: Definition A person who is professionally trained and licensed to examine the eyes for visual defects, diagnose problems or impairments, and prescribe corrective lenses or provide other types of treatment. The optometrist is licensed to conduct eye exams, prescribe corrective contact lenses and glasses, and diagnose and treat eye disease. He or she will work through various vision therapies to treat abnormalities, and can prescribe drugs for the eyes. If surgery is required, the patient is sent to an ophthalmologist (M.D.). specializes in the kind of care required for routine eye exams and noninvasive therapies and treatments for eye disease. An ophthalmologist will normally have higher fees than an optometrist, and might hand off much of the routine exam to an in-house optometrist anyway. If a problem arises that can be treated with surgery or alternate therapies, the ophthalmologist might be more likely to suggest surgery, while the optometrist will likely exhaust other potential treatments first. Unless a problem exists that requires an ophthalmologist, an optometrist will likely be a more cost-effective choice for routine eye care. Education/Licensing: An optometrist is a doctor of optometry (O.D.), rather than a medical doctor. a person that has completed at least three years of higher education at an accredited university or college is eligible to attend an accredited four-year school in optometry. This is followed by state board examinations, both written and clinical. The optometrist may then choose to complete an additional one-year residency to specialize in any number of areas including family practice, ocular disease, pediatric optometry and vision therapy. Ophthalmologist: doctor who deals exclusively with parts of the body related to the visual passageways; that is, the eyes, the brain, and the areas around the eye, such as eyelids. An ophthalmologist will inspect the eye for disease, and may perform surgery on the eyes if necessary. In some cases, an ophthalmologist may be able to identify problems that aren't related to vision, such as brain tumors or diabetes mellitus. An ophthalmologist is a physician who specializes in the medical and surgical care of the eyes and visual system and in the prevention of eye disease and injury. They provide a full spectrum of care including routine eye exams, diagnosis and medical treatment of eye disorders and diseases, prescriptions for eyeglasses, surgery, and management of eye problems that are caused by systemic illnesses. Education/Licensing: Ophthalmologists can be medical doctors (M.D.) or doctors of osteopathy (D.O.);is a fully licensed medical doctor who is qualified to practice surgery, while an optometrist has completed a graduate degree in optometry. Licensed by the state; After completing 4 years of undergraduate study at a college or university, ophthalmologists attend 4 years of medical school to obtain an M.D. or D.O. degree. After graduating from medical school, they complete a 1-year internship and 3 years of training in ophthalmology in a residency program approved by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). Following residency, ophthalmologists may enroll in a 1- to 2-year fellowship program. Ophthalmologists are licensed by a state regulatory board to practice medicine and surgery. In addition, they are board certified, which means that they have passed a rigorous two-part examination that tests their knowledge and ability to provide expert care. The examination is administered by the American Board of Ophthalmology, and if the doctor passes, he or she becomes a board-certified ophthalmologist. Optometrists deal with prescribing glasses or contact lenses for vision problems, but cannot use surgery to correct vision problems, as an ophthalmologist (fully licensed medical doctor specializing in eyes) can. Opticians can only fill a prescription for lenses/glasses.

Question: Can my doctor refer me to an ophthalmologist? I am going to my GP because sometimes lights appear blurred/daylight through window blinds etc will he test for diabetes and can he refer me to a ophthalmologist?

Answer: He for sure can. If he doesn't and you think you really need to go you should find another dr.

Question: Is it possible to skip the 6 month wait and pay to see an ophthalmologist in Canada? I'm a student right now and last visited my ophthalmologist about a month ago.What he gave me unfortunately didn't work and now I'm trying to book a second appointment.The first time I waited 6 months for my appointment so I assume I need to wait another 6 months for a second. All I want to know is whether there's an alternative to waiting.

Answer: I'm not sure what exactly he gave you that didn't work (your glasses, a medication, etc?) but you should call his office and explain that you were seen and whatever it was did not work and would like to be seen again. Should get you in soon.

Question: What would I major in if I want to become an ophthalmologist? An ophthalmologist is an eye surgeon. Different from an optometrist.

Answer: Any major is OK, but you would have a bit of synergy if you took Optical Engineering as your Major.