An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor who focuses on diagnosing and treating issues that affect the eyes. They also perform surgical procedures on the eyes. An ophthalmologist should not be confused with an optometrist. An optometrist is trained to diagnose and treat some vision problems, but they are not doctors. An optometrist is not qualified to perform surgical treatments on the eyes.
Let us take a look at some of the reasons why you might have to visit an ophthalmologist for eye surgery:
Laser eye surgery can improve a patient’s vision, eliminating the need for eyewear or glasses. Using a laser to improve a person’s vision is called refractive surgery, and it involves removing tissues underneath the surface of the cornea, reshaping it. The treatment can be used to correct vision issues like astigmatism, nearsightedness, or farsightedness.
Refractive surgery is usually performed as an outpatient procedure, so the patient gets to go home immediately. It takes about 30 minutes to complete the treatment, and the patient’s vision should be improved within a day. Patients might experience some discomfort for a couple of days after getting laser eye surgery.
Here is another type of refractive surgery that can be used to fix issues like farsightedness, astigmatism, and nearsightedness. It involves using a laser to remove cells from the cornea’s surface. It does not require creating a flap underneath the cornea, as is the case with LASIK, making it a less invasive procedure.
It only takes about 10 minutes to fix a patient’s vision with PRK, but it takes longer to get the desired results. Many patients see their vision improve by over 80% four weeks after PRK, and that number goes up to 95% after 12 weeks.
People are more likely to develop cataracts as they age. Cataracts build up on the lens of the patient’s eye, clouding them up. This leads to dull and blurry vision. Surgical treatments can be used to resolve the problem. It typically involves replacing the damaged lens with an artificial lens. The procedure takes about an hour, and the patient’s vision should be improved within a few days.
Glaucoma develops when a person’s optic nerve becomes damaged. An abnormal buildup of pressure in an eye is the leading cause of glaucoma. Left untreated, the condition can lead to blindness. Surgical treatments for glaucoma aim to reduce pressure in the eye.
Laser surgery is typically the first option, but traditional glaucoma treatment might be needed if the laser approach fails. It can take up to a week to recover from conventional surgery.
Our ophthalmologist has lots of experience performing surgical procedures that improve your vision and protect your eyes. We can also evaluate your vision and provide appropriate eyewear to improve it. Give us a call or visit our Mt Vernon clinic to set up an appointment.
Request an appointment here: https://brighteyesmv.com or call Bright Eyes Optometry at (914) 668-1429 for an appointment in our Mt Vernon office.
Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Ophthalmologist in Mt Vernon, NY.
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