oogarts

An oogarts, or ophthalmologist, is a medical doctor who specializes in the medical and surgical care of the eye and the broader visual system. They diagnose and treat eye diseases, perform surgical procedures, and manage vision-threatening conditions. Ophthalmologists differ from optometrists and ophthalmic nurses in that they are trained to provide medical, surgical, and refractive care for complex eye problems.

Training and certification typically require completing a medical degree followed by a dedicated residency in ophthalmology, which may last several years. In many countries, physicians may pursue subspecialty fellowships in areas such as cataract and refractive surgery, glaucoma, retina, cornea, pediatric ophthalmology, or neuro-ophthalmology. Certification or board examination processes vary by country but generally involve advanced exams and ongoing professional education.

The scope of practice includes comprehensive eye examinations, diagnosis and management of diseases such as glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and retinal détachement, as well as medical and surgical treatments. Common procedures include cataract extraction with intraocular lens implantation, glaucoma procedures, corneal transplants, retinal surgery, and refractive surgeries where permitted. Ophthalmologists also handle ocular emergencies, infections, inflammatory conditions, and vision problems related to systemic diseases, often coordinating care with other medical specialists.

In everyday clinical settings, oogarts work in hospitals, dedicated eye clinics, and academic centers, frequently collaborating with optometrists, orthoptists, and ophthalmic nurses to deliver comprehensive eye care. The term reflects the Dutch word for eye (oog) and physician (arts), mirroring its English equivalent, ophthalmologist.