Introduction

A medical assistant is responsible for performing a wide variety of procedures in an ophthalmologic or otorhinolaryngologic practice. First, the medical assistant must be familiar with the normal anatomy and physiology of the eyes, ears, nose, and throat. With an understanding of how these specialty sensory organs function, the medical assistant can master the skills needed to become a valuable asset to providers who specialize in the treatment of eye and ear disorders.
Ophthalmology is the science of the eye and its disorders and diseases. A physician who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders and diseases of the eye is an ophthalmologist. An ophthalmologist is a licensed medical physician who can diagnose eye disorders, prescribe medication, conduct eye screenings, prescribe glasses or contact lenses, and perform optic surgery. An optometrist is not a medical doctor, but this individual is licensed and has earned a degree as a doctor of optometry (OD). An optometrist can perform eye examinations, diagnose vision problems and eye diseases, prescribe ophthalmic medications, and treat visual defects through corrective lenses and eye exercises. Opticians are trained to fill prescriptions written by ophthalmologists and optometrists for corrective lenses by grinding the lenses and dispensing eyewear.
Otorhinolaryngology is the medical specialty that deals with the ear, nose, and throat. It frequently is referred to as otolaryngology or even as a single specialty of otology or laryngology. Usually, the specialty otorhinolaryngology is referred to simply as ear, nose, and throat (ENT). An otolaryngologist is a licensed medical physician who is trained in the medical and surgical management and treatment of patients with diseases and disorders of the ear, nose, throat, and related structures of the head and neck.