What is the Role of an Ophthalmologist in Eye Health Care?

When was the last time you sought after eye care near you? Perhaps it only resonates with you to seek medical assistance when you have an urgent problem. While that may be the right move for handling medical emergencies, it should not be the only time in your life you seek the intervention of a doctor for your health. On matters of eye health, you should be interested enough to know about the various eye specialists there are, so you know who to turn to when you need various eye care services.

Who is an Ophthalmologist?

An ophthalmologist in Glendale, CA, is an eye doctor who diagnoses and treats various eye problems. They are different from other eye specialists because they are trained medical professionals who can diagnose and treat all eye and vision-related conditions. Their educational training includes earning a bachelor’s degree, years in medical school, internship, and three years of residency in ophthalmology. Afterward, ophthalmologists can choose to specialize in preferred areas of eye care. For example, pediatric ophthalmology concentrates on eye care for children.

What Do Ophthalmologists Do?

One thing you should know about ophthalmologists is that they offer a holistic eye care experience for all patients. Therefore, whether you need an eye checkup or a treatment for a particular eye problem, an ophthalmologist is the right person for the job. Some distinguishing factors between an ophthalmologist near you and other eye care professionals are:

1. Can diagnose and treat all eye and vision problems
2. Can perform corrective eye surgeries
3. Can perform comprehensive eye exams
4. Handling emergency eye conditions like eye injuries and accidents

Other than those, ophthalmologists at Glendale Eye Medical Group perform all other tasks that other eye specialists do, including:

1. Prescribing eyeglasses and contact lenses
2. Conducting regular eye screening tests
3. Identifying early stages of common eye problems
4. Monitoring developmental phases of children’s eyes relative to their learning abilities
5. Prescribing oral and other kinds of medication

What Kind of Eye Problems Can Ophthalmologists Treat?

A range of eye problems can be diagnosed and treated in ophthalmology, ranging from those that need over-the-counter medication to those that require eye surgery. The common ones are:

1. Dry Eyes – due to inadequate quality tears to lubricate the eyes.
2. Refractive Eye Problems – usually resulting in nearsightedness (myopia) or farsightedness (hyperopia)
3. Computer Vision Syndrome – also called digital eye strain, is caused by improper use of screens for prolonged periods.
4. Eye Injuries or Infections – are very common among children.
5. Cataracts – featuring the cloudiness of the eyes, especially as you age
6. Lazy Eye – also called amblyopia, a condition that is caused by an under-development of one eye.
7. Glaucoma – treating any errors with the optic nerve, causing fluid build-up and a rise of eye pressure, which may eventually lead to blindness
8. Diabetic Retinopathy – an eye problem common among diabetic patients
9. Cancer of the eyes or around the visual system – some ophthalmologists specialize in ocular oncology for the diagnosis and treatment of eye-related cancers.
10. Vision Loss – whether temporary or permanent.

When Do You Need to See an Eye Doctor?

Whether for children or adults, you should not lead your entire life without ever visiting an ophthalmologist near you. Other than when you have an eye emergency, you should consider regular eye checkups. For children, comprehensive eye exams should begin by the time they reach six months of age. Afterward, they should visit a pediatric ophthalmologist once annually.

For adults, annual eye exams are necessary if you have some underlying health problems with your vision system. However, if your vision and eye health are excellent, consider at least four comprehensive eye exams in your adult life. One of them should be in your 20s, two in your 30s, and one in your 40s. by the time you are 40, your eye doctor will have caught any eye problems that may be problematic further in your age. Therefore, by the time you are in your 60s, you will be ready to have annual eye exams, as is the case for children.

If you are looking for an Ophthalmologist in Glendale, CA, you can call or schedule an appointment with Glendale Eye Medical Group for eyecare treatments.