Is a Retina Specialist an Ophthalmologist?

Going to the eye doctor should be a part of your overall health and wellness plan. Many people do not realize that a simple visit to the eye doctor can diagnose more than just eye-related issues but certainly an ophthalmologist can determine whether your eyes are healthy, what other diseases or conditions could be affecting your vision, and treatment options to preserve or restore your eyesight. 

An ophthalmologist is a physician who specializes in medical and surgical eye care. Board certified ophthalmologists are required to complete 4 years of college, 4 years of medical school, 1 year of internship training, and a minimum of 3 years of supervised training in an accredited ophthalmology residency program. Ophthalmologists are then able to diagnose and treat all eye diseases and vision problems, prescribe eyeglasses and contact lenses, and perform eye surgery. 

A retina specialist is an ophthalmologist who has undergone additional training to become an expert in the diagnosis, management and treatment of diseases and surgery of the vitreous (watery gel between the lens and the retina) and the retina. Retina specialists treat conditions ranging from age-related macular degeneration and retinal detachment to cancers of the eye. They also treat patients who have experienced severe eye trauma as well as children and adults with hereditary diseases of the eye.

Ophthalmologists are well-trained in just about every area of the pathology and complexity of eye health but would likely refer patients to a retinal specialist for further management and treatment for the following reasons: retinal tear or retinal detachment, intraocular foreign body, endophthalmitis, proliferative diabetic retinopathy, macular edema, and age-related macular degeneration. In cases of trauma, a retinal specialist can provide an emergency treatment plan, including retinal detachment surgery. If you experience any trauma to the eye or vision-related crisis, do not hesitate to contact your eye doctor as soon as possible. 

Making time to see an eye care professional makes all the difference in receiving the proper care and treatment for your vision needs. Problems affecting the delicate tissues in the back of the eye, such as the retina and vitreous, are best left in the care of experts in their respective fields. To learn more about our team of ophthalmologists and retinal specialists at Associated Retina Consultants, please give us a call at 602-242-4928 or visit WEBSITE.