Eye specialist (ophthalmologist) in Kolkata

Ophthalmologist, optometrist or optician?

• Ophthalmologist (eye specialist): a medical doctor (MBBS plus MS, DO or DNB in ophthalmology). Diagnoses eye disease, prescribes medicines and does surgery.
• Optometrist: trained to test vision and prescribe glasses and contact lenses, and to spot problems that need a doctor.
• Optician: makes and fits glasses.

For a glasses check, an optometrist is enough. For pain, redness, sudden blur, floaters, diabetes, a family history of glaucoma, or anything that may need an operation, see an ophthalmologist.

When to see an eye specialist

• Sudden loss or blurring of vision, a curtain or shadow, or a shower of floaters and flashes: same day
• Painful red eye, injury or chemical splash: see eye emergencies
• Diabetes: a dilated retina check every year
• Over 40: a full eye check every one to two years, including eye pressure for glaucoma
• Glare, faded colours and frequent power changes: possibly cataract
• Children: before school, and any time a squint or head-tilt shows. See children's eyes

What a full eye examination includes

1. Vision and glasses power, each eye separately
2. Eye pressure (tonometry)
3. Slit-lamp examination of lids, cornea, lens and iris
4. Dilated retina and optic nerve check, when needed (bring someone to drive you home)
5. Scans such as OCT, topography or visual fields, only when the findings call for them

Plan for one to two hours if your pupils are dilated. Bring your glasses, old reports and a list of medicines.

About Dr. Ananyabrata Das

MBBS and Diploma in Ophthalmology from Calcutta Medical College, with observerships in the United Kingdom including Moorfields Eye Hospital, London. Director and Founder of NABH-accredited Spectra Eye Hospital. His own practice centres on LASIK and premium cataract surgery, and he leads a team of more than 25 eye specialists for retina, cornea, glaucoma, paediatric and oculoplasty care. Full profile · patient reviews.

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