Ophthalmologist: Your Eye Health Expert

What is an Ophthalmologist?

An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor who specializes in eye and vision care. They diagnose and treat all types of eye problems, perform eye surgeries, and also prescribe glasses or contact lenses.

Unlike regular eye specialists (optometrists), ophthalmologists can treat serious eye diseases and do surgeries like cataract removal, LASIK, and glaucoma treatment.

Common Eye Conditions Treated

Refractive Errors – Nearsightedness (Myopia), Farsightedness (Hyperopia), Astigmatism
Cataract – Clouding of the eye lens, common with aging
Glaucoma – Increased eye pressure that can lead to blindness
Retinal Disorders – Like Diabetic Retinopathy or Macular Degeneration
Squint (Strabismus) – Misalignment of the eyes
Dry Eyes or Watery Eyes
Eye Infections – Conjunctivitis (pink eye), styes
Eye Injuries or Trauma
Pediatric Eye Problems – Lazy eye, congenital cataract, etc.

When Should You Visit an Ophthalmologist?

You should consult an eye doctor if you experience:

• Blurred or double vision
• Eye pain or redness
• Sensitivity to light
• Frequent headaches with vision issues
• Trouble reading or seeing at night
• Sudden vision loss or flashes of light
• Eye injury or foreign object in the eye
• Diabetes or high BP (for regular eye checkups)

Common Eye Tests

Visual Acuity Test – Check clarity of vision
Slit Lamp Exam – Check for cataract, infection, injury
Refraction Test – Find your eyeglass number
Tonometry – Measure eye pressure (for glaucoma)
Retinal Imaging / OCT – For retina and nerve health

Eye Surgeries & Treatments

Cataract Surgery – Replace cloudy lens with an artificial one
LASIK / PRK – Laser surgery to remove glasses
Glaucoma Surgery / Laser – Reduce eye pressure
Retina Treatment – For diabetes or age-related degeneration
Squint Correction – For misaligned eyes
Eyelid Surgery / Ptosis Correction
Corneal Transplant – In case of corneal damage
Injections for Diabetic Eye Disease

Modern eye treatments are painless, quick, and often done in a day-care setting.

Cost of Eye Treatments in India

Eye Consultation: ₹500 – ₹1500
Spectacle number test: ₹300 – ₹800
Cataract surgery: ₹20,000 – ₹60,000 (depending on lens type)
LASIK surgery: ₹25,000 – ₹70,000 (for both eyes)
Glaucoma surgery: ₹30,000 – ₹80,000
Many procedures are covered by health insurance

Why Regular Eye Checkups Are Important

• Detect problems early, even before symptoms
• Prevent vision loss from diseases like glaucoma or diabetes
• Ensure clear and comfortable vision
• Monitor eye health if you have diabetes, BP, or a family history of eye disease

Your eyes deserve regular care – just like any other part of your body.

Final Words

Whether you’re dealing with blurry vision, cataracts, or any eye discomfort — an ophthalmologist is your go-to expert. With advanced technology, modern eye care is safe, fast, and highly effective.

Healthy eyes = Better life. Don’t wait until it’s too late — get your eyes checked regularly!