Examples Of Specialized Care In Ophthalmology Article

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Examples of Specialized Care in Ophthalmology

Ophthalmologists are medical doctors who have completed specialized residencies in the medical and surgical treatment of eye diseases and prevention of blindness. These physicians treat a variety of diseases.

Author: Sara Goldstein

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Conditions that ophthalmologists specialize in treating include:

Cataracts
When the eye’s lens loses transparency the result is a cataract, a cloudy area that forms in the inner area of the lens. Ophthalmologists are trained to perform surgery to break up and remove the cataract, and replace the lens with one that will restore clear vision.

Glaucoma
Glaucoma can result from any of several eye diseases that, causing an increase in the fluid within the eye, increase the pressure inside the eye. The continued pressure, or spikes in pressure caused by this excess fluid damage the optic nerve. Left untreated over time can cause irreversible loss of eyesight, and, ultimately, blindness.

Retinal Diseases
Several diseases can affect the retina. Different forms of diabetic retinopathy, macular edema, macular pucker, retinal holes, a retina tear or retinal detachment are all treatable by an ophthalmologist. The most successful treatment results from catching the disease in the early stages.

Macular Conditions
As we age, the macula can degenerate causing loss of the central portion of our vision. Macular pucker and macular edema can also cause loss of vision. Early treatment by an ophthalmologist can prevent further loss of vision.

Amblyopia (Lazy Eye)
Amblyopia can be caused by improper or insufficient stimulation of the brain resulting from visual deprivation in one or both eyes. Causes can include congenital cataracts, strabismus, or other variations in visual perception (e.g., myopia in one eye). Ophthalmologic treatment can be surgical or mechanical. That is, it may require correction of a refractive error or cataract, or strengthening the “lazy eye” by patching the stronger one, and forcing the normal use of the weaker one.

Refractive Errors
Refractive errors cause the focal point of light entering the eye to fall short of reaching the retina or “beyond” the retina, resulting in distorted or blurred vision. Refractive errors include myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, and presbyopia. Refractive surgery reshapes the cornea to refocus the light so that it hits on the retina, providing clear vision. Reshaping can be done using one of several surgical approaches, each of which is a specialized type of surgery. Ophthalmologists are trained to use specialized surgical knives, radio waves and lasers to reshape the cornea, depending upon the type of surgery, refractive error, patient history and evaluation.

About Author

Please visit the Susskind & Almallah Eye Associates, PA in Monmouth or Ocean Counties, New Jersey to learn more about the many specializations available from an ophthalmologist.

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Examples of Specialized Care in Ophthalmology