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Ophthalmologist

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  2. Ophthalmologist

Ophthalmologist Job Description

Ophthalmologists Are Medically Trained Doctors With Specialist Skills In The Diagnosis, Treatment And Prevention Of Diseases Of The Eye And Visual System. They Treat Patients Of All Ages, From Babies To The Elderly. Most Aim To Become Consultants, Where The Role Combines The Technical Skills Of A Micro Surgeon With The Therapeutic And Diagnostic Skills Of A Doctor.

There Are A Small Number Of Medical Ophthalmologists Or Ophthalmic Physicians, Who Are Trained In General Medicine As Well As Ophthalmology And Take A Holistic View, Treating The Whole Patient And Not Just Focusing On The Eye. They May Provide Laser Treatment But Do Not Carry Out Surgery.

Ophthalmologists Work Predominantly With Hospital Outpatients. Common Conditions Are Cataracts, Glaucoma, Diabetes And Degenerative Conditions Resulting From Ageing. They Work In Hospital Eye Casualty Departments, Outpatient Clinics, The Operating Theatre And Laser Eye Surgery Clinics

Ophthalmologist Duties/Functions/Responsibilities

  • assessing and examining patients in order to make a diagnosis;
  • managing busy general outpatient clinics, emergency eye clinics and specialist clinics;
  • carrying out surgical procedures using an operating microscope, small incision (keyhole) surgery, laser surgery, etc.;
  • ward rounds, but this is limited as most ophthalmic patients have day surgery and do not stay in hospital overnight;
  • working well as part of a multi-disciplinary team that includes optometrists, orthoptists and nurses;
  • handling legal documentation for the certification of patients as blind or partially sighted;
  • supporting health promotion and disease prevention activities.
  • collaboration with other specialists, including diabetologists, neurologists, ENT (ear, nose and throat) and maxillofacial surgeons, and paediatricians, amongst others;
  • operating equipment such as ophthalmoscopes, slit lamps and lenses;
  • making high-level judgements due to the complexities of ophthalmic conditions;
  • communicating and empathising with patients and family members;
  • management of ophthalmic conditions, taking into account both medical and psychological aspects of patient care;
  • educating patients to understand their medical condition;

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