Ophthalmology

What is the difference between an ophthalmologist, an optometrist, and an optician?

There are three different types of eye care professionals who handle different aspects of ophthalmology treatments and have varying levels of expertise and training.

Ophthalmologist

A surgeon specialising in all things related to the eyes is an ophthalmologist.

Diagnose and treat all eye conditions

Perform eye surgeries

Conduct scientific research to identify causes and cures for different eye conditions and vision problems.

In addition to being specialised surgeons, ophthalmologists can also choose a subspecialty, such as corneas, retinas, neurology, or glaucoma.

Optometrist

Primary eye care is provided by them. They are certified and trained in optometry, which involves a wide range of eye care services, such as:

Conducting eye exams and vision tests

Prescribing corrective lenses

Diagnosing medical conditions

Prescribing medicines for the treatment of certain eye disorders

Optometrists are not certified to provide surgical treatment for eye disorders.

Optician

The optician is a technician (not a doctor) who designs and fits visual aids like eyeglasses, contact lenses, and other devices that can correct the eyesight of patients.

Visual aids are verified and fitted with prescriptions from an optometrist or ophthalmologist. However, they are not trained to diagnose or treat eye problems.

What is the best time to see an ophthalmologist?

Ophthalmologists are usually consulted for the following reasons:

• Loss of vision or reduced vision in one or both eyes

• Sudden spots or flashes of light in the vision field

• Seeing lightning streaks, distortion, or wavy lines

• Having watery eyes and redness in one or both eyes

• Halos around the light and double vision

• Inability to see colours

• Pain in the eye

Aside from the above-mentioned factors, you should also consult an eye doctor if you notice physical changes in your eyes, such as crossed eyes, growth over the cornea or sclera, etc.

When should I get an eye exam?

In general, eye health is affected by age. Therefore, people of different ages should undergo eye examinations at different frequencies, as follows:

Every 2-3 years, children under 12 should have their eyes checked.

Once every two years or more frequently if they have a refractive power, children over 12 (teenagers) and under 19 should have their eyes examined.

If they do not have a condition, adults between the ages of 20 and 40 should get their eyes examined at least once every two years.

At this age, eye health declines significantly, so adults over 40 should have their eyes checked at least once a year.

Every two years, adults over 65 should have their eyes examined.

There are many conditions that affect the eyes, but they don't develop clear symptoms until the condition has progressed to an advanced stage. An eye exam can help to identify these conditions at the earliest stage so that the best treatment option can be given to the patient.

Krescent Healthcare Provides Ophthalmic Treatment

Krescent Healthcare provides comprehensive eye care for patients. Our eye doctors can treat the following conditions:

Cataract- The cataract occurs when the natural eye lens becomes clouded, preventing light from reaching the retina. For eye preservation, we use modern techniques such as phacoemulsification, micro-incision cataract surgery (MICS), and femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery (FLACS).

Refractive Error- It is common for people of all ages to experience refractive errors, unlike cataracts, which primarily affect the elderly. Modern laser technology can be used to correct refractive errors such as myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism. To restore their vision, patients with refractive errors can undergo LASIK, SBK, PRK, SMILE, Contoura Vision, or ICL surgery (or IPCL surgery).

Diabetic Retinopathy- As the name suggests, this condition arises as a diabetes-related complication and damages the blood vessels in the eye, causing vitreous haemorrhage and retinal disorders. To treat diabetic retinopathy and preserve vision, we use anti-VEGF injections, laser therapy, and vitrectomy.

Retinal Detachment- Getting detached from the back of the eyewall can cause the retina and optic nerve to become disconnected. The most common cause of retinal detachment is a tear or hole in the retina. Retinal detachment treatment options vary depending on the severity of the condition. Photocoagulation, cryopexy, pneumatic retinopexy, scleral buckling, and vitrectomy are some of the treatment options.

Squint Eye- This condition, also known as crossed eyes or strabismus, occurs when both eyes cannot focus on the same object simultaneously.

Glaucoma- As a result of irregular or abnormal eye pressure, it causes damage to the optic nerve. Depending on the patient's condition, we can use medications to relieve eye pressure, laser therapy, filtering surgery, drainage tubes, and minimally invasive glaucoma surgery to treat glaucoma.

Pterygium- In addition to affecting vision, pterygiums can cause cosmetic and medical concerns. They are abnormal growths over the conjunctiva, sclera, and cornea. The abnormal growth can be removed without affecting eye function with the best technique amongst excision, autografting, and amniotic membrane transplantation.

Keratoconus- It is a progressive eye disorder in which the outer corneal layer becomes cone-shaped and affects vision. To correct keratoconus, we use corneal collagen cross-linking (C3R), contact lenses, or corneal transplantation.

How to Choose the Best Eye Specialist Near You

When people are looking for eye treatment, they use Google to search for “eye specialist near me” and choose the doctor that appears first. Here we will give you a few tips to help you choose the best ophthalmologist near you. This may not be the most efficient way to choose an eye doctor.

Ask around- To narrow down your search, ask your friends, family, and coworkers for help. Most people know at least one person who sees an eye doctor regularly.

Ask your primary care provider or General Doctor- For reliable and trustworthy eye specialists in your area, ask your primary care provider for a referral.

Search the internet for best Eye Specialists in your area- Try searching for "eye doctor near me" or "ophthalmologist near me" on the internet once you have a few names on your list.

Check reviews given by previous patients- Check out the reviews written by patients about the eye doctors on your list. This will provide you with valuable information about the quality of care and the patient's experience.

Check the hospital the eye doctor is affiliated with and the reputation of the hospital. There is a possibility that the doctor has a good reputation, but the facility does not provide adequate care.

You should evaluate all your options carefully and consult with an eye specialist before deciding on treatment.

Krescent Healthcare offers highly experienced eye doctors

With more than ten years of experience in their respective fields, our doctors at  Krescent Healthcare specialise in diagnosing and treating all kinds of eye disorders, surgically and medically. They are well-versed in performing minimally invasive procedures, and due to their skills and expertise, more than 90% of the surgeries at  Krescent Healthcare succeed.

The eye surgeons at our practice can perform a wide range of surgical procedures for you, including cataract removal, pterygium removal, glaucoma surgery, LASIK, ICL/IPCL surgery, and others. As well as providing detailed instructions for post-surgery care, they also work alongside our non-medical staff to make your treatment as hassle-free as possible. They make sure the patient understands everything about the procedure and all aspects of surgery.

For eye disorders, what are the most commonly prescribed medications?

In order to provide the most effective treatment, an ophthalmologist will conduct a thorough eye examination to determine the root cause of the eye disorder. After diagnosing an eye disease, the eye doctor will use the most appropriate technique to treat it. While the names of the medications may differ from one company to another, the salts used in them are usually the same. There are a few most commonly prescribed medications for eye disorders.

• Diamox for glaucoma

• Aciclovir is an eye ointment

• Acetylcysteine for dry eyes

• Atropine eye drops

• Apraclonidine eye drops

What makes  Krescent Healthcare the best choice for advanced eye care?

In order to make the patient's treatment journey easier,  Krescent Healthcare is a full-stack healthcare provider that fills all the gaps. We have several specialised eye centres across India to provide patients with advanced and FDA-approved eye treatment. In addition,  Krescent Healthcare offers a number of additional benefits:

• We provide end-to-end assistance. Our medical coordinator will contact you at the start of the eye treatment and stay with you until the end.

• Our team of insurance experts assists you in filing medical claims by reviewing your insurance policy and advising you on the maximum benefits you can obtain.

• In order to make medical finance easier on the patient's pocket, several payment options are available, such as cash, cashless, and zero-cost EMI.

To make the commute convenient for patients, a free cab service is offered for pick-up and drop-off on the day of surgery.

To promote healing, a free follow-up consultation is provided following eye treatment.

Krescent Healthcare Eye Clinic offers free consultations

With numerous clinics across India,  Krescent Healthcare offers advanced eye care with state-of-the-art diagnostic and surgical equipment that is FDA-approved. Our goal is to make advanced eye care accessible to patients under any situation. Additionally, we are partnered with a number of top-notch eye hospitals with state-of-the-art equipment and facilities to give our patients the best possible care. For a consultation with one of our eye specialists, you can visit a  Krescent Healthcare clinic near you without an appointment.

Where can you find the best ophthalmologists near you at  Krescent Healthcare?

Krescent Healthcare has three easy ways for you to book an appointment with the best eye specialist or ophthalmologist in India:

All the patient's details must be filled out on the website. The medical coordinator will call you at the earliest opportunity to provide you with complete assistance regarding the treatment you are seeking, as well as arrange for the best eye specialist in your area.

Contact our medical coordinator directly by calling the number on the website.

With the  Krescent Healthcare mobile app, you can also schedule an online consultation with a highly experienced ophthalmologist.