Øjenlægen

Øjenlægen is the Danish term for an ophthalmologist, a medical doctor who specializes in the medical and surgical care of the eye. The field covers diagnosis and treatment of eye diseases, vision problems, and ocular injuries. Ophthalmologists provide medical care and perform operations, distinguishing them from optometrists and other eye-care professionals who primarily focus on vision testing and corrective lenses.

Education and training for an øjenlæge involves completing a medical degree followed by specialty training in ophthalmology. Training includes extensive clinical rotation, surgical practice, and often subspecialty fellowships in areas such as retina, cornea, glaucoma, pediatric ophthalmology, or oculoplastic surgery. The path emphasizes both medical management and surgical skill.

Practice and procedures: Øjenlæger conduct comprehensive eye examinations, assess visual acuity, and measure intraocular pressure. They use diagnostic tools such as slit lamps, imaging devices (optical coherence tomography, ultrasound), and angiography to diagnose conditions. Common diseases managed include cataracts, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, retinal detachments, and corneal diseases. Treatments may involve medications, laser therapy, injections, and surgical procedures, including cataract extraction with intraocular lens implantation, glaucoma surgery, vitrectomy, corneal transplantation, and refractive surgery where appropriate.

Organisation and regulation: In Nordic countries and other regions, ophthalmology is a regulated medical specialty. Øjenlæger are licensed physicians who may work in public hospitals, university clinics, or private practices. Continuing medical education is typically required to maintain certification and stay updated with advances in the field.