An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor who specializes in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of diseases and conditions related to the eyes and visual system. Ophthalmologists are trained to provide both medical and surgical care for a wide range of eye issues, from common vision problems like nearsightedness or farsightedness to more complex diseases such as glaucoma, cataracts, and macular degeneration.

Key responsibilities of an ophthalmologist include:

• Diagnosing and treating eye diseases: They manage conditions like infections, injuries, dry eyes, diabetic retinopathy, and retinal disorders.
• Performing eye surgeries: Ophthalmologists are skilled in surgical procedures such as cataract removal, LASIK, corneal transplants, and retinal detachment repair.
• Prescribing glasses and contact lenses: They assess vision problems and prescribe corrective lenses to improve visual acuity.
• Conducting comprehensive eye exams: These include tests for eye health, vision sharpness, and eye pressure, often to screen for glaucoma or other serious conditions.
• Providing ongoing care: Ophthalmologists often manage chronic eye diseases, offering treatments, medications, and follow-up care to prevent vision loss.

Ophthalmologists complete extensive training, including medical school, a residency in ophthalmology, and often additional fellowship training in subspecialties such as pediatric ophthalmology, cornea, or retina.

They work closely with other eye care professionals, such as optometrists and opticians, but differ in their ability to perform surgery and manage more complex eye diseases.