What is an Ophthalmologist?

Ophthalmologists, also known as Eye M.D.s, are Medical Doctors (M.D.) or Doctors of Osteopathy (D.O.) who specialize in the medical and surgical care of the eyes and visual system, and in the prevention of eye disease and injury. Before going into practice they have completed four or more years of college in a premedical curriculum, four or more years of medical school, one year of internship, and three or more years of specialized medical surgical and refractive training and experience in eye care. 

Ophthalmologists can deliver total eye care including primary, secondary, and tertiary care. Specifically, ophthalmologists can provide vision services, contact lenses, eye examinations, medical eye care, and surgical eye care, diagnose and treat ocular manifestations of systemic diseases.

What is an optometrist?

An optometrist has been specifically educated and trained by an accredited optometry college in a four year course, but has not attended medical school. They are state licensed to examine the eyes and to determine the presence of vision problems. Optometrists determine visual acuity and prescribe glasses, contact lenses and eye exercises. Optometrists may perform all services listed under the definition of an optician.

What is an optician?

An optician is a technician who makes, adjusts, repairs, and reproduces lenses, frames and other specially fabricated optical devices and/ or contact lenses. The optician analyzes and interprets the wearer´s prescription, works with the wearer in determining the lens best suited for the wearer´s needs, grinds the lenses, and assembles the eye wear.

What is astigmatism?

There is something about the unusual sound of this word that makes this question so common. Actually, astigmatism is an easy concept to grasp. The clear window in the front of the eye called the cornea should be spherically-shaped, like a basketball so that the light form an image comes to a sharp focus on the back of the eye. With astigmatism, the cornea has an elliptical shape, like a football, and the image is optically distorted when it shines on the retina. Most people have a small amount of astigmatism.

Glasses simply correct for astigmatism by altering the way light passes through the optical system of the eye, thus neutralizing the corneal astigmatism.

When should a child have the first eye exam?

All children should have a first eye exam by age 3 or 4 to screen for amblyopia (sometimes referred to as lazy eye syndrome). This screening is a vision test that is usually performed in a pediatrician´s office during a routine check-up. Once a screening has been performed, a complete eye exam by an ophthalmologist is recommended, should an abnormality be detected.  Parents may be unaware of the development of amblyopia because the eyes may appear to have straight alignment.  If not detected until after age 6, amblyopia may be difficult or impossible to treat, but if detected in early childhood, it is easily treated by temporarily patching one eye.

Why does my Eye MD dilate my eyes?

A thorough examination of the back portion of the eye, which includes the macula, peripheral retina, and optic nerve, can only be adequately performed after the eyes are dilated. Without dilation, the pupils will constrict to a small size when a bright examining light is shown into the eyes. (Imagine examining the contents of a room through a keyhole. You could only see a small area of the inside of the room, unless the keyhole is enlarged.) Dilating drops both enlarge the size of the pupil and make the pupil non-reactive when bright light is shown into the eye. Common eye diseases such as glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, cataracts, and various other eye diseases are best detected after the pupils are dilated.  Dilation will affect your ability to read up close for approximately two hours, sometimes longer in certain individuals. Distance vision is generally not affected by dilation. The eyes may feel uncomfortable in bright light when eyes have been dilated, therefore temporary dark sunglasses may be offered after your examination. Optional reversal eye drops are available to lessen the effects of dilation for patients who need faster visual recovery.

What are lasers?

The word laser is an acronym for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. It is a highly focused, intense beam of a single color of light. Ophthalmologists (or Eye MD's), with special training, can use laser in a variety of ways such as treatment of certain diagnoses of cataracts, glaucoma, "wet" age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, retinal holes, cosmetic surgery, and refractive surgery such as PRK and LASIK.

How often should I have an eye exam?

You should always schedule regular eye exams because some conditions may come about without warning.  Before the age of 20, you should have an eye exam as recommended by a pediatrician or eye doctor.  It is also recommended to have your eyes screened at least once between the ages of 20 and 39 and then every two to four years until age 65.  We suggest regular eye exams every one to two years after age 65.  Those who are at a higher risk of developing glaucoma or another severe eye condition should schedule eye exams on a more regular basis at any age (every one to two years)

What is glaucoma?

Glaucoma is a condition in which the fluid that normally flows through the anterior (front) of the eye fails to drain as needed, causing added pressure on the optic nerve.  The optic nerve is sensitive to trauma from pressure. Left untreated, vision deteriorates and eventually ceases.

Is glaucoma more prevalent in certain types of people?

Yes. Although anyone can be affected by glaucoma, the risk is higher for people who are nearsighted, over age 65, have a family history of glaucoma, take steroid medicines, have had past trauma to the eye, are African-American and over the age 40, or have diabetes or high blood pressure.

What are cataracts and how are they treated?

A cataract is the clouding of the lens of the eye.  When a cataract worsens to the point of interfering with daily activities, it's time to have the lens removed.  Surgery is the only effective way to remove the clouded lens, and most are now done on an outpatient basis.  Over 1.5 million cataract operations are performed in North America every year.

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