øyelegen

Øyelegen is a medical doctor specializing in ophthalmology, the branch of medicine that focuses on the eye and the visual system. The term is used in Norwegian to refer to physicians who diagnose, treat, and manage diseases and disorders of the eye, and who can perform surgical interventions when needed. Ophthalmology covers a wide range of conditions, from refractive errors and infections to complex retinal disease and glaucoma.

Education and training: Becoming an øyelege requires completing a medical degree followed by several years of specialty training in ophthalmology (spesialisering) through approved programs. Training typically includes clinical work in hospital and university settings, medical and surgical rotations, and often subspecialty fellowships. After completing the program, the physician is licensed to practice and may obtain board certification or equivalent credentials depending on the national system.

Practice and roles: Øyeleger work in hospitals, university clinics, and private eye clinics. They perform diagnostic testing, manage medical treatment for eye diseases, and conduct surgical procedures such as cataract removal, glaucoma surgery, retinal repair, and corneal transplantation. They may also diagnose systemic diseases with ocular manifestations and collaborate with optometrists and other health professionals to coordinate care for patients, including children and adults.

Terminology and related fields: The field is commonly referred to as ophthalmology; the Latin-based term oftalmologi is used in some contexts. The everyday Norwegian term øyelege is distinct from optician (optiker) or optometrist, who primarily provide vision testing and corrective lenses rather than medical treatment.