Opthalmology

Ophthalmology is the branch of medicine that deals with diagnosing and treating diseases and disorders of the eyes. Ophthalmology deals with the anatomy as well as the physiology of the eyes. An ophthalmologist is a doctor trained in handling eye diseases and disorders, runs eye and vision exams, and prescribes glasses or contact lenses and treatments. An ophthalmologist can also carry out surgical procedures on the eyes if required. Some eye conditions include cataracts, eye infections, glaucoma, optic nerve problems, etc. Other persons involved in taking care of the eyes include: 

• Opticians – The opticians design contact lenses, eyeglasses, and other devices that aid correction of the eyesight, 
• Optometrists – Optometrists are individuals who provide primary vision care, such as testing of the sight, prescribing eyeglasses and contact lenses. They also make diagnoses and prescribe medications.

It is advisable to see an ophthalmologist when you feel discomfort in your eyes, such as:

• abnormalities with the eyelids,
• black specks called floaters in the line of vision,
• bulging eyes,
• blurry, decreased, blocked, or double vision,
• conjunctivitis,
• eye trauma,
• retinal detachment,
• tearing excessively,
• seeing flashes of light,
• usual redness of the eyes,
• loss of peripheral vision, 
• sudden changes in vision,
• eye injury,
• sudden loss of vision
• severe or sudden eye pain, etc.

Some persons may suffer from certain health conditions that expose them to developing issues with their eyes. Some of these health conditions are:

• Age-related macular degeneration,
• diabetes,
• high blood pressure,
• human immunodeficiency virus (HIV),
• a medical history of eye issues in the family,
• thyroid conditions like Graves’ disease, etc.