Eye doctor in Latviano referral, where to go, what the state covers

An ophthalmologist is the specialist for diagnosing, treating and preventing eye disease and vision disorders.

• Cataract, meaning clouding of the lens
• Glaucoma
• Retinal and vitreous disease, including diabetic retinopathy and macular disease
• Uveitis and other inflammation of the eye
• Corneal disease, erosions and foreign bodies
• Conjunctivitis and keratitis
• Vision correction with glasses and contact lenses
• Strabismus

The Latvian American Eye Center states that the only way to detect cataract in good time is regular checks with an eye doctor, particularly after age 45, and that only an eye doctor can determine whether vision loss is caused by cataract or another condition.

• Six years of medical study and a doctor's degree, at RSU or the University of Latvia.
• Residency in ophthalmology. Programme page: RSU residency programme.
• Some doctors specialise further, for example in glaucoma surgery, corneal and cataract surgery, or retinal and vitreous surgery.
• The certificate is valid for 5 years. Recertification requires 250 continuing education points plus a 48.38 EUR fee.
• Entry in the practitioners register must be renewed every 5 years.

• NVD contract. For state-funded surgery, check whether the provider holds a contract with the National Health Service.
• Children. Not every eye doctor sees children, so check when booking.
• Sub-specialisation. Glaucoma, corneal and retinal surgery are distinct fields, and doctor profiles usually state which they cover.
• Tests on site. If OCT or eye ultrasound is likely, a provider that performs them saves appointments.
• Lens choice. The Latvian American Eye Center states that choosing the lens during cataract surgery is one of the most important decisions affecting vision quality afterwards.

• The visit tests visual acuity, examines the front of the eye and, where needed, the back of the eye.
• Pupil-dilating drops are often used. Veselības centru apvienība states that visual acuity can be reduced for up to three hours afterwards.
• Driving and computer work can therefore be difficult during that time, and sunglasses are recommended in daylight.
• Tell the specialist beforehand if you have ever had an allergic reaction to eye drops.
• Bring your glasses or contact lenses and the results of earlier investigations.

The Eye Health Centre gives the following guidance for the recovery period, which lasts four weeks:

• Use the prescribed eye drops and avoid catching cold and heavy physical exertion.
• For a week after surgery, tape a dressing over the operated eye at night, and avoid sleeping on that side.
• Keep water out of the operated eye, and for a month avoid saunas, swimming and sunbeds.
• Avoid bending forward and heavy physical work.
• Wear sunglasses outdoors to protect the eye from ultraviolet light, wind and dirt.
• If both eyes have cataract, the second is usually operated a month after the first.

Pauls Stradiņš Clinical University Hospital states that cataract surgery is performed under local anaesthesia and that the intraocular lens usually provides distance vision, with glasses needed for reading.

The specialty body is the Latvian Association of Ophthalmologists, listed in the professional association data as a division of the Latvian Medical Association. Contact: Juris Vanags.

Certificates are issued by the Certification Council of the Latvian Medical Association. The sector regulator is the Health Inspectorate.

If you have doubts about the quality of care, raise them first with the provider's management. If that does not resolve it, a written submission goes to the Health Inspectorate no later than two years after the alleged infringement, and is reviewed within 30 days, extendable to four months in complex cases. The procedure is set out on the Health Inspectorate site.