Eye health and diseases

Even healthy people who do not have any problems regarding their vision and function of their eyes in general are supposed to be fully informed about eye exam and the job of ophthalmologist whose service they may eventually need.

As people get older, the chance of suffering from eye disorders significantly increases. Once certain symptoms occur, people are due to consult their health care provider who will refer them to a well experienced ophthalmologist. Ophthalmologists are doctors specialized for medical and surgical eye problems. They can successfully diagnose and treat any of numerous eye conditions.

Common Eye Disorders People Face with

These health experts in the majority of cases treat patients suffering from refractive anomalies such as nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. Furthermore, they successfully diagnose and treat glaucoma and cataract, two conditions that predominantly affect older people, even though they are also reported in younger individuals. If a person has suffered some kind of an eye injury, he/she will again turn to an ophthalmologist.

All cases of 'red ' and 'pink' eye are treated by these experts as well. They also perform routine eye exams in people suffering from diabetes who are prone to certain eye conditions such as diabetic retinopathy. Other risk groups are also regularly examined by ophthalmologists.

Finally, some of these health experts are further specialized and diagnose and treat conditions of newborns such as retinopathy of prematurity.

An Eye Exam

In the beginning of examination doctor will ask a person a set of questions and require about patient's family history. The complete examination includes a medical and optical case history, visual acuity measurements, tests for depth perception, glaucoma testing, blood pressure measurement, cataract evaluation, perimetry and inspection of the fundus of the eye.

Computer Visual Field Examination - Perimetry

Perimetry is a test that evaluates patient's peripheral vision. During the testing obtained data are incorporated in a detailed map called a visual field. This test is of major importance, providing with information regarding potential blindness-causing diseases. It is an essential part of testing people suffering from glaucoma and many other ocular as well as neurological diseases.

Retinal Photography

This test allows insight in the retina and all its components. Taken photographs show any abnormality present as well as defects in retinal integrity. The test is crucial for people suffering from glaucoma, retinal degeneration, retinal detachment, retinopathy of prematurity etc. Inspection of the retina may also reveal damage caused by systemic illnesses such as diabetes mellitus.