the Forth Valley Sensory Centre newsletter - Falkirk Council
the Forth Valley Sensory Centre newsletter - Falkirk Council
the Forth Valley Sensory Centre newsletter - Falkirk Council
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Services<br />
This edition of <strong>the</strong> <strong>newsletter</strong> finds out more about <strong>the</strong> different roles in<br />
<strong>the</strong> eye clinic as well as an interview with one of <strong>the</strong> Ophthalmologists,<br />
Dr Jennifer Gillen.<br />
Ophthalmology Services in NHS <strong>Forth</strong> <strong>Valley</strong><br />
Who’s who in <strong>the</strong> Eye Clinic<br />
When you visit <strong>the</strong> eye or ophthalmology clinic<br />
you may meet and be examined by a number of<br />
different professionals, who all have different roles<br />
in <strong>the</strong> ophthalmology team. Confusingly, <strong>the</strong>y all<br />
have names beginning with O which are derived<br />
from <strong>the</strong>ir Greek root words (ophthalmology<br />
comes from <strong>the</strong> Greek word ophthalmos meaning<br />
eye).<br />
The team work toge<strong>the</strong>r to carry out all sorts of tests and procedures<br />
designed to ga<strong>the</strong>r information to help to make a diagnosis, carry out<br />
treatment and to help a patient to make <strong>the</strong> most of <strong>the</strong>ir vision.<br />
Ophthalmologist (from <strong>the</strong> Greek words ophthalmos meaning eye and<br />
logos meaning thought, <strong>the</strong>refore "<strong>the</strong> science of eyes”)<br />
An ophthalmologist is a specialist doctor in medical and surgical eye<br />
problems. They do a traditional medical degree and <strong>the</strong>n spend about 6-<br />
8 years training in caring for people with eye disorders. Most<br />
ophthalmologists see patients with a wide range of eye problems and<br />
<strong>the</strong>ir work involves a mixture of outpatient clinics and surgical<br />
procedures. Many also sub-specialise and develop a deeper knowledge<br />
of one particular group of disorders. As well as ophthalmology<br />
consultants <strong>the</strong> medical team includes Associate Specialist Doctors, and<br />
doctors working under supervision at various stages of <strong>the</strong>ir specialist<br />
training.<br />
Optometrist (from opsis meaning view and metron meaning measure)<br />
Optometrists are healthcare professionals who are concerned with<br />
<strong>Forth</strong> <strong>Valley</strong> <strong>Sensory</strong> <strong>Centre</strong> Newsletter - Autumn Edition Page 12