A Look at Ophthalmology: The Practice And Its Uses

Is it time to have your eyes checked again? If you go to the eye doctor and he discovers that there is a problem then he will send you onto an ophthalmologist. You probably know a little bit about the branch of medicine known as ophthalmology already. If not then here is the definition of it- ophthalmology is concerned with the anatomy and the physiology of diseases and conditions that affect the eye. These eye specialists are trained to do surgery on the eyes. This makes them both medical as well as surgical professionals.

Ophthalmology is about eye problems that are both minor as well as those that are more serious. Some are small problems that can be fixed easily while others can lead to serious problems and can bring about vision loss if left untreated and undiagnosed.

The best thing anyone can do to protect the health of their eyes is to have regular checkups. Many diseases of the eyes do not have any obvious symptoms which means that you could be suffering from something and not even know it. Ophthalmology seeks to detect those problems right away in order that they can be treated in a timely fashion. If you notice a problem with your vision in between your scheduled appointments then place a call to the eye specialist's office right away.

If you experience pain in your eye area or if you notice unusual flashes of light or if you develop double vision then something is amiss and you need to be looked at right away. The same can be said if you develop inflammation or if fluid is coming from one or both of your eyes. Seek attention as soon as possible.

One type of problem that you might be sent to an ophthalmologist about is known as cataracts, or what the layperson sometimes refers to as clouded lenses. If the lens of your eye becomes cloudy then this can affect how well you see. This eye condition is seen very often in the senior population.

By the age of 80 more than half of those living in the United States have either developed a cataract or have had to have surgery to have it corrected. The most common symptoms of cataracts include blurry vision, glare, double vision, problems deciphering shapes and colors at night and colors that do not seem as bright and vibrant as they should be. If the prescription for your eyeglasses changes frequently then this is another sign that you may have cataracts.

Glaucoma is another eye disease that causes damage to the optic nerve. This happens as a result of excessive pressure being exerted on the eye. This disease is a common cause of blindness in many people. There are generally no symptoms in the beginning which is why having a comprehensive eye examination is so essential to your eye health.