Ophthalmologists are medical professionals who specialize in eye care. Their qualifications go beyond those of opticians and optometrists. A general practice doctor will refer you to an ophthalmologist if they notice you have eye infection symptoms or conditions. Here is a look at what ophthalmologists do and the conditions they treat. 
What Do Ophthalmologists Do?
Many people refer to these professionals as eye surgeons or eye doctors. They specialize in providing care for the eyes and treating eye diseases. They diagnose, prescribe treatments and medicines, and undertake eye surgeries as a case requires. They also prescribe glasses and contact lenses.
How Do They Do It?
An ophthalmologist will first give you a comprehensive eye exam to assess your vision. If they see a need, they will measure your prescription. They will check the alignment of your eyes to see if your eye muscles are working as they should.
They will test how your pupils respond to light and look for any early signs of eye problems. The most common areas they identify are neurological, blood (diabetes), and autoimmune disorders. They will also check your optic nerve and retina for retinal detachment. Diagnosing these conditions will help them develop a treatment plan to help you avert vision loss.
Conditions That Ophthalmologists Treat
You should see an ophthalmologist at least once a year for your comprehensive eye exam. During the exam, they will check your eyes for signs of the following conditions:
- Refractive errors.
- Macular degeneration.
- Glaucoma.
- Diabetic retinopathy.
- Cataracts.
- Corneal conditions.
- Ocular oncology.
- Cases with neurological components.
- Cases involving surgical procedures.
Here is a look into some of these conditions and what they are.
Refractive Errors
Ophthalmologists will perform vision tests to determine if you have any visual problems due to refractive error. These include nearsightedness, farsightedness, or presbyopia. They happen when the shape of the eye does not refract or bend light correctly.
Macular Degeneration
It causes vision loss in the center of your field of vision. It happens when the center of your retina deteriorates. It is age-related, so if your ophthalmologist catches it early, they can slow down its progression.
Glaucoma
It is another age-related eye condition that affects the optical nerve. It is not easy to detect until you begin to lose your vision. However, regular visits to the ophthalmologist for comprehensive eye exams will help with early diagnosis.
Corneal Conditions
Ophthalmologists are experts in corneal issues. They perform cataract surgery, refractive eye surgery, and corneal transplantation.
Ocular Oncology
It deals with the diagnosis and treatment of cancer affecting the eye. It includes the eyelids and the orbit or eye socket. If you have tumors in these areas, the ophthalmologist will study them to know if they are benign or cancerous. After diagnosis, they will prescribe treatment accordingly.
Conclusion
Apart from taking care of your eyes, an ophthalmologist will teach you how to notice eye condition symptoms. These symptoms may not directly relate to the eyes but other medical conditions. With the proper diagnosis, your ophthalmologist can refer you for appropriate treatment.
For more on ophthalmologists and the conditions they treat, visit Treasure Coast Eye Specialists at our office in Port Saint Lucie or Stuart, Florida. You can call (772) 400-2400 or (772) 286-0007 today to schedule an appointment.
