- Ophthalmologists, orthoptists and optometrists are all eye health care providers with specialised expertise and overlapping roles. They all work closely with one another to co-manage eye conditions.
- An ophthalmologist is an eye physician and surgeon. In Australia, ophthalmologists are recognised with the title of Fellow of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists (FRANZCO). This requires the completion of medical school at university (4-6 years) and usually a post-graduate research degree followed by several years of dedicated training in hospitals – first as a junior doctor (3+ years) and then through the RANZCO specialist ophthalmology training program (5 years). They are experts in the diagnosis and treatment of eye conditions including eye surgery. A referral from a GP or optometrist is generally needed to obtain a Medicare rebate for consultation with an ophthalmologist.
- An orthoptist is trained through a specialised university degree in the assessment, diagnosis and non-surgical management of eye disorders. Traditionally their primary emphasis was in children’s vision assessment, strabismus, low vision, amblyopia and eye movement disorders. In recent years their role has expanded into other eye disorders as well. They do not perform eye surgery. In most ophthalmology practices, an orthoptist will conduct the preliminary vision assessment and any additional tests or scans prior to the consultation with the ophthalmologist. Orthoptists manage certain eye conditions such as amblyopia, low vision and fit prisms for double vision.
- An optometrist is a ‘primary’ eye care provider who has completed a specialised university degree which includes refracting for glasses and contact lenses, and diagnosing common eye conditions. In recent years, many optometrists have also gained a therapeutic licence to be able to prescribe eye drops in order to treat common eye conditions. They do not perform eye surgery. It is not necessary to have a referral to see an optometrist.
- A cataract is a clouding of the natural focusing lens inside the eye. It is derived from the Greek word for waterfall.
- You should ensure that you have had a thorough eye examination with an experienced cataract surgeon.
- If you have symptoms of cataract, then cataract surgery may help to improve your sight and your quality of life. Find out more here.
- Precision surgery to carefully remove the entire cataract and insert a customised artificial lens. The cataract is 3-4mm thick and 10mm in diameter. Surgery is therefore done using a microscope at high magnification.
- You may hear in popular media of research into eye drops that might “dissolve” cataracts, but this is entirely experimental.
- There are several makes and models.
- Not all lenses work for all patients.
- Selecting the right one is something that we (the patient and surgeon) work out together.
- This is a common misconception. An eye misalignment (strabismus) can have a huge impact on an adult’s quality of life by affecting confidence, social interactions, work opportunities and relationships.
- Eye muscle surgery can be a suitable option to improve eye alignment for many patients.
- It is possible to correct focusing problems with glasses, contact lenses, laser or lens surgery.
- The best option is different for each patient and always customised based on the anatomy of the eye and patient’s visual needs.
- Myopia is increasing rapidly in children due to complex genetic and environmental factors.
- There are several options to slow the progression of myopia including environmental modification, eye drops and specialised contact lenses or glasses.
- I use minimally invasive procedures that I have modified through years of experience and working with the world’s leading strabismus surgeons.
- This website by Mr John Ferris (U.K.) is an excellent resource for patients.
- Find out more here.
- A “lazy eye” can mean a variety of things, so it is important to define exactly what that is. It could be an eye that drifts in or out (strabismus), an eye that doesn’t see well (amblyopia), or a droopy eyelid (ptosis).
- In any of these cases, a comprehensive eye examination by a specialised paediatric ophthalmologist would be recommended to work out the problem and treat it appropriately.
- Each child learns in different ways. Poor vision can certainly be a cause for learning delay and a thorough eye assessment would be recommended to all children with learning difficulty.
- Improving vision with glasses or patching can help to improve a child’s learning and development.
- The only way that we can check a child’s focussing and possible need for glasses is to ensure their natural lens is completely relaxed.
- Unfortunately, the only reliable and effective way we have is to instil drops which do sting temporarily. We generally only have to do this once a year. Sometimes this experience is not pleasant for the child and parents.
- Having specialised expertise and many years of experience in dealing with children, my staff have specific techniques to reduce the anxiety and unpleasantness associated with this process.
- Yes, it might be possible to to discuss your case using telehealth and provide general guidance.