Ophthalmology is a branch of medicine that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of eye disorders. Ophthalmologists are allowed to prescribe medications to treat eye diseases, implement laser therapy, and perform surgery when needed. Ophthalmologists typically provide specialty eye care – medical and surgical, and they may participate in academic research on eye disorders.
An ophthalmologist is a physician who specializes in eye care. The credentials include a degree in medicine, followed by additional four to five years of residency training in ophthalmology. Residency training programs for ophthalmology may require a one-year internship with training in internal medicine, pediatrics, or general surgery. Additional specialty training (or fellowship) may be sought in a particular aspect of eye pathology.
