Algerian ophthalmologists, like all ophthalmologists in the world, are doctors medically trained caring for patients with eye problems. They care for people with acute and long-term eye diseases and treat patients of all ages.

This article presents useful information about the nature of the work of Algerian ophthalmologists, common procedures / interventions, subspecialties and other roles that may be of interest to you.

Nature of the work of Algerian ophthalmologists

Ophthalmologists diagnose, treat and prevent disorders of the eyes and the visual system.

Ophthalmology is a mixed medical and surgical specialty. Many diverse ophthalmologic problems are encountered, particularly in an older population. The practice of ophthalmology is very diverse, dealing with many clinical problems and conditions.

Among the conditions commonly encountered, we can mention:

• corneal pathology (diseases of the cornea, the thin transparent surface that forms the front of the eyeball)
• cataracts (loss of transparency of the lens of the eye)
• glaucoma (increased pressure of fluids inside the eyes, causing visual problems)
• strabismus (when there is a problem with eye alignment)
• retinal problems (such as internal edema, bleeding, tears, or retinal detachment, the back inner surface of the eye that receives light)
• intraocular inflammation (inflammation inside the eye)
• neurological problems related to the eyes

Ophthalmologists also care for patients with the following conditions:

• major and minor eye injuries
• infectious eye diseases
• chronic eye diseases such as diabetic retinopathy (disease affecting the retina caused by diabetes) and age-related macular degeneration (deterioration of the macula, the central area of the retina)

Ophthalmic patients cover the entire age range, from premature babies to the oldest of the population. Patients are generally in good health and their condition is seldom life threatening. However, eye symptoms and disorders are very common and can cause considerable anxiety. In addition to diagnosis and treatment, it is often necessary to obtain sympathetic advice and be reassured.

Ophthalmologists perform eye operations, usually using a surgical microscope and sometimes lasers.

Types of surgery include:

• cataract surgery - the most frequently performed operation, which is very successful and gives great satisfaction to the patient
• glaucoma surgery
• surgery for retinal disorders
• strabismus surgery (for strabismus)
• cornea transplant
• oculoplastic surgery (plastic surgery around the eye)
• orbital surgery (relating to the orbit)

Ophthalmic surgery procedures have benefited from tremendous technological advancements over the past ten to fifteen years, resulting in earlier surgery and a dramatic improvement in the lifestyle of patients. Further improvements were made to the delivery of ophthalmic surgery services, with most operations being treated as day cases.

The rise of new technologies and exciting new treatments in recent years has made it possible for ophthalmologists to manage patients with eye diseases much more effectively, and this trend is expected to continue with the expansion of services.

Sub-specialties of Algerian ophthalmologists

Algerian ophthalmologists may develop subspecialty interests in a number of different fields. For example, ophthalmologists with a pediatric interest deal with eye development and disease in children.

Retinal medical specialists deal with diseases of the retina, including their occurrence in patients with conditions as diverse as diabetes, age-related macular degeneration, eye disease due to systemic conditions, and hereditary retinal diseases.

These subspecialties, which may or may not be surgical, include:

• cornea and anterior segment
• medical retina
• glaucoma
• oculoplastic surgery (plastic surgery around the eye)
• pediatric ophthalmology
• surgical retina (vitreoretinal surgeons)
• primary care
• medicine and neuro-ophthalmology

The future role of ophthalmologists

The health care system in which ophthalmology is performed will be radically different. The practice of ophthalmology faces many opportunities and challenges for the future. Future trends are largely determined by demographics, economics, human factors, and IT. The ophthalmologist must be informed and professional practices must adapt. How we manage these forces will shape the system we have in the future. A new world of healthcare is on the horizon.

Sources:

Source 1: healthcareers.nhs.uk [external].

Source 2: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov [external].