Fluorescein angiography
Fluorescein angiography is a diagnostic test that aids visualization of the blood circulation in the retina and choroid. Fluorescein is a water-soluble dye that is injected into a vein in the patient's arm. It travels through the blood vessels of the body thereby aiding multiple photographing of the retina. The images obtained help in detecting any swelling or leakage in the blood vessels. The patient's eyes are dilated with mydriatic eye drops so that photographs of the inside of the eye can be taken.
Some patients may notice skin rash, itching or allergic reaction to the dye. Nausea or vomiting may be noticed. But this non-invasive test can usually be safely repeated. Abnormal results of fluorescein angiography test may indicate diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, or cancer. Ischaemia or oedema in the retina circulation can be detected with the help of fluorescein angiography
Ophthalmologist
An ophthalmologist combines the diagnostic skills of a clinician, the therapeutic skills of a physician, technical skills of a micro surgeon and psychiatric skills in understanding the patient's psychology in one. Since the eye is structured in such a way that its components are transparent, the opthalmologist is able to observe directly and read the abnormalities in a manner which is not possible for any other parts of the human body.
Professional qualifications for an ophthalmologist
Ophthalmologists are medical doctors who have completed medical school and four years training schedule in opthalmology after medical school. An opthalmologist can be a medical doctor with an M.D. degree in opthalmology or doctors of osteopathy D.O. In the US, four years of training after medical school is a must. The first year is an internship and then three years of training in opthalmology in a residency program approved by the Accrediation Council of Graduate Medical Education. An ophthalmologist may develop expertise in a sub-specialty such as:
- Corneal disease
- Retina and vitreous disease
- Glaucoma
- Pediatric eye problems
- Plastic surgery
Services rendered by an opthalmologist
By convention, an opthalmologist specializes in the medical and surgical care of the eyes. The opthalmologist aids in prevention of eye diseases and injury to the visual system. The full spectrum of care rendered by an opthalmologist includes:
- Routine eye examinations
- diagnosis
- Medical treatement of eye disorders and diseases
- Pprescription for eye glasses
- Surgery
- Management of eye problems caused by systemic illnesses
Eye surgeon
An opthalmologist often performs surgery to prevent or improve vision related conditions. A variety of lasers are used nowadays to perform out-patient procedures which previously required admission to hospital. Also tremendous improvements in microsurgical instrumentations have led to development of operations not considered possible a decade ago. An increasing number of such surgeries are being performed by local anesthesia. The surgical work of a general opthalmologist includes:
- Cataract extration
- Squint surgery
- Glaucoma surgery
- Retinal, oculoplastic and nasolacrimal surgery
Some common emergency of the eye that require immediate intervention by an opthalmologist are:
- simple foreign body on the eye
- chemical burns
- angle closure
- glaucoma
- retinal detachment
Medical ophthalmologist
A medical opthalmologist generally does not perform surgery. The sphere of interest embraces:
- Diabetes and Endocrinology including laser treatment for diabetic retinopathy
- Vascular disease of the eye
- Uveitis
- AIDS
- Ramifications of dermatological and rheumatological disorders
- Pediatric opthalmology
- Neuropthalmology
- Genetics
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