Visiting an eye specialist on a regular basis helps you avoid or manage any difficulties with your vision.
Your eyesight is valuable as it allows you to perform all your basic tasks plus more.
Don't take your vision for granted by disregarding any developing symptoms.
There are three eye specialists you may need to see in this lifetime: an ophthalmologist, an optometrist, and an optician.
Optometrist An optometrist is a type of eye specialist who supplies primary eye care.
They're not all doctors, but are licenced health care professionals who are able to diagnose and treat common eye conditions.
They could provide lens prescriptions, medication and rehabilitation recommendations, and even perform surgical procedures like removing foreign objects and laser surgery.
They require a Doctor of Optometry (O.
D.
), a Bachelor of Optometry, Bachelor of Science (BOptom BSc), or a Bachelor of Vision Science and Masters of Optometry degree before the Australian College of Optometry acknowledges them as optometrists.
You can visit an optometrist when you start experiencing symptoms of glaucoma, nearsightedness and farsightedness, cataracts, and other retinal diseases.
Optometrists will also help you with hypertension and diabetes-related visual impairments.
Ophthalmologist There are more serious eye conditions that require knowledge and specialisation.
An ophthalmologist specialises in eye anatomy and all facets of eye care.
They should have a Doctor of Medicine degree in Ophthalmology, followed by two years of residency and five years of specialist training.
Next, they have to become a Fellow of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists (FRANZCO).
Ophthalmologists perform the same functions as an optometrist, but additionally, they also perform surgical treatment.
You must see them if you suspect any issues with your cornea, advanced glaucoma, retinal diseases, and cataracts that need surgery.
Talk to them if you experience any trauma around your eye area as well, as they have the knowledge to treat nerve injuries.
Those that will need reconstruction surgery must also see an ophthalmologist for ophthalmic plastic surgery solutions.
Optician Opticians play the smallest role of the three eye specialists.
An optician gives eye products and specialises in creating eyewear for people with visual impairments.
Unlike optometrists and ophthalmologists, they cannot diagnose eye conditions and prescribe any medication.
Think of them as ophthalmology's answer to a pharmacist - they dispense your prescription.
Dispensing opticians have to be a member of the Australian Dispensing Opticians Association.
The ADOA Board decides whether or not an individual qualifies for this profession.
They can work independently or hand-in-hand with optometry clinics.
You need to visit these specialists after seeing your own eye doctor.
They will design and fit the lenses, whether in the form of eyeglasses or contact lenses, according to your doctor's specifications.
They could also design devices like artificial eyes for cosmetic corrections.
Visit an eye care centre at least every two years.
This can help you maintain the health of your eyes.
Increase these visits as you get older.
You also need to develop good reading habits and rest your eyes periodically.
Avoid reading in the dark, reading at uncomfortable angles and reading for an extended period of time.
Exercise your eyeballs every now and then by looking at different directions.
Finally, have a healthy diet rich in Vitamin A and lutein.