What Types Of Eye Conditions Are Treated By Ophthalmologists?
Ophthalmologists provide a variety of different types of general eye care, such as giving eye exams, prescribing eyeglasses, and treating common conditions like allergy eyes and conjunctivitis. However, these professional eye physicians also see patients for other conditions of the eyes as well. These are some of the other types of eye conditions that ophthalmologists also treat.
Eye Injuries
Whether it involves getting a small scratch on the cornea or a more severe injury that damages the entire eye, ophthalmologists are highly trained and experienced at providing the necessary care. It is not uncommon for ophthalmologists to perform surgery to correct injuries to the eye, such as cuts in the eyelid, fractures of the bones around the eye that hold it in place, bleeding in the front of the eye, or foreign bodies that are embedded in the eye. These injuries often occur at the workplace, during sporting events, due to automobile accidents, or even when someone gets punched or kicked in the face.
Eye Disorders
There are also many eye disorders that ophthalmologists can treat. These include performing cataract surgeries to remove a filmy layer that grows over the lens of the eyes and can lead to blindness. Another disorder that can be treated is known as trachoma. In this condition, a person's eyelashes grow inward and scratch the surface of the eye causing pain and discomfort and making vision difficult. This disorder can sometimes be treated with medications, but more advanced cases need to be surgically corrected by an ophthalmologist. Patients who are diagnosed with glaucoma are also treated by an ophthalmologist. It occurs when the normal fluid behind the eyes does not drain properly. This causes pressure to build up behind the eyes, and this can lead to irreversible blindness if not treated. Sometimes, this disorder can be treated by medications but may also require surgery depending on how severe it is.
Eye Diseases
Diabetic retinopathy is one of the most common eye diseases that many ophthalmologists treat. This occurs when the blood vessels in the retina are damaged due to uncontrolled diabetes. This disease can lead to blurry vision, developing more severe eye conditions, such as glaucoma and blindness. While diabetic retinopathy cannot be reversed, if caught early, it can be treated so that the vision and the condition do not become worse. Depending on how advanced the disease is, it may be treated by medications, injections, or eye surgery. However, the best treatment is to keep diabetes under control to prevent diabetic retinopathy from developing.
These are only a few of the eye conditions that ophthalmologists treat on a regular basis. To keep the eyes healthy, it is very important to have regular checkups with an ophthalmology professional. If an eye condition develops, it can be more easily treated if it is caught in the early stages.