If you think your eyesight is normal and you are not wearing specs too, chances are, you have hardly visited an ophthalmologist. Most of the eye disorders are detected too late with the underlying conditions having progressed far enough to warrant a consultation with a specialist.
Without proper vision, life can be hard and one can face dreadful effects of low vision or even complete blindness. Taking good care of the eyes can result in a better quality of life. Regular eye check-ups will significantly reduce the odds of vision loss and blindness. These regular check-ups can help to detect various conditions such as diabetes, macular degeneration, glaucoma, etc., years before the symptoms of these diseases start to appear.
In this blog, we help you become more aware of your eyes and take the necessary steps to keep it healthy.
First things first, what is ophthalmology?
Ophthalmology is the practice of surgical and medical care of the eyes. This branch of medicine helps in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of any issues related to vision.
Who is an ophthalmologist?
An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor who specialises in vision care and the eyes. In simple words, he is an eye doctor. These specialised doctors are trained to conduct eye exams and diagnose and treat diseases of the eye. As ophthalmologists are trained to perform eye operations, they are considered to be both medical and surgical specialists. In short, an ophthalmologist offers a comprehensive approach to treat eye disease and prevent serious ocular conditions.
Issues related to the eyes generally build up slowly, over a period of time. If left untreated, ocular diseases can cause poor vision or blindness. However, regular eye checkups can help to prevent many eye conditions. Generally, it is recommended to see an ophthalmologist every six months or as suggested by your doctor depending on the health of the eyes.
Some of the most common signs that indicate you may need an ophthalmologist include,
- Red eyes
- Pain in the eyes
- Difficulty in differentiating colours
- Poor or blurred vision
- Distorted vision
- Double vision
- Bulging or misaligned eyes
- If you have other conditions like Diabetes, Thyroid problems, and High blood pressure
- Family history of ocular problems
- Strings in vision
- Flashes of light
- If you’re aged above 40
Tips to choose the best ophthalmologist
Choosing the right ophthalmologist is very important as an eye is a window to the overall health. Take a look at these important tips before you choose your ophthalmologist.
Find the best one
You can start the search by talking to your general physician and ask for recommendations. Alternatively, you can also talk to family and friends to get their reviews and recommendations. In addition, you can also look at the eye doctor’s association websites and find the best one.
Credentials
Before booking an appointment with an ophthalmologist, check the credentials. An ophthalmologist should have proper credentials, training and licensing to offer the service. The eye care clinic must preferably have an NABH (National Accreditation Board for Hospital and Healthcare Providers) accreditation like Neoretina Eye Care Institute of Hyderabad. This ensures the hospital and the staff give immense importance to the quality of service and safety of patients.
Your ophthalmologist must be trained in the best Institutes of the country and abroad. Reputed eye care hospital like Neoretina has of a team of doctors such as Dr.Raja Rami Reddy P, Dr.Srinivas Ambatipudi, Dr.Abhilasha Baharani, etc. These doctors have outstanding credentials, years of experience and unmatched skills.
Check on reputation and facilities
The reputation of the ophthalmologist matters a lot. As eyes are precious and a little damage can lead to blindness, it is essential to focus on doctor’s reputation. Read online reviews and get feedback from the people who have used the services offered by a certain ophthalmologist. Positive reviews can indicate good services. A good ophthalmologist must also be associated with a hospital which has state-of-the-art facility to diagnose and treat both common and complicated eye diseases.
Choosing the right ophthalmologist can help you take all the preventive and curative measures that your eyes need.
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