Who is an eye specialist?
Ophthalmology is a branch of medicine that deals with the treatment and diagnosis of the conditions of the eyeball and the orbit through an anatomical and physiological determination of the eye. An ophthalmologist or an eye-specialist is a medical doctor dealing in the invasive and non-invasive eye-related procedures such as eye surgery, cataract surgery, dry eye etc.
When should you see an eye specialist (ماہر امراض چشم)?
Vision problems could signify health issues like hypertension, uncontrolled diabetes or autoimmune disorders. Regular check-ups with an eye-specialist should be maintained to diagnose eye problems before they become too serious.
Additionally, people with family history of eye problems should see an eye specialist regularly as positive family history makes you more prone to having a condition which may be unnoticeable at first. Experts recommend that by age 40, people should see an ophthalmologist (ماہر امراض چشم) regularly for a complete medical eye exam.
What are the main areas of concern of an eye specialist?
Ophthalmologists are concerned with everything in the eye. Certain congenital eye conditions like eyelid abnormalities and misaligned eyes, as well as medical and surgical eye disorders are treated by ophthalmologists (ماہر امراض چشم). Sometimes ophthalmologists diagnose medical conditions of the body that manifest as eye disorders.
Plastic surgeons can also specialize in ophthalmology and deal with repair of eyelids and structures around the eyes that can be damaged as a result of birth trauma, congenital defects, accidents and chemical burns. They also help to improve the look of facial structures around the eye.
What are the most common causes of blindness in Pakistan?
Some of the most common causes of blindness in people under 30 include:
| Cause |
Percentage of Patients |
| Cataracts |
51.5% |
| Corneal Opacity |
11.8% |
| Uncorrected Aphakia |
8.6% |
| Glaucoma |
7.1% |
| Posterior Capsular Opacification |
3.6% |
How to become an eye specialist in Pakistan (ماہر امراض چشم)?
In order to become an eye specialist in Pakistan you first have to complete a five year Optometry program, including working at a hospital/clinic for a year. Ophthalmologists get advanced training and a postgraduate degree to be able to diagnose and treat a wider range of eye-conditions. Ophthalmologists get residency and fellowship training, and can get further specialist training known as subspecialist training.
What kinds of eye specialists are there?
Subspecialties of ophthalmology include:
- Corneal specialist: deal with diseases of the cornea including keratoconus and Fuchs’ dystrophy. Corneal transplants, ulcers and refractive surgeries are all performed by corneal specialists.
- Retina specialist: The retina is the part of the eye that receives light and sends visual signals to the brain. Retina specialists diagnose and treat retinal eye conditions including detached retinas or torn retinas.
- Glaucoma specialist: treat the eye condition of increased intraocular pressure i.e. glaucoma. Glaucoma can damage the optic nerve and should be treated immediately. This painful eye condition should be monitored by regular visits to the ophthalmologists.
- Neuro-ophthalmologist: deals with the diseases of optic nerve, unequal pupil size, abnormal eye movements, double vision and even vision loss.
- Pediatric specialist: treats childhood eye conditions including congenital defects, uncorrected refractive errors, difference of vision between two eyes, as well as misalignment of the eyes.
- Plastic surgeons: can also specialize in ophthalmology. They improve the appearance of the bone structure around the eye, as well as repairing damage to the eyelids, tear drainage or any other structure around the eyes.
What are eye specialists called in Pakistan?
- Eye specialist
- Eye doctors
- ophthalmologists
