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Patient Eye health education

When Should I Go To Ophthalmologist..!

Eye Injuries

Eye Care & Facts myths

Floaters and flashes

How To Care About My Contact Lenses..!

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When should I see an ophthalmologist?

You should have your eyes examined by an ophthalmologist if you have:

·        decreased vision, even if temporary;

·        new floaters (black “strings” or specks in the vision);

·        flashes of light;

·        a curtain or veil blocking vision;

·        haloes (colored circles around lights);

·        an eye injury or eye pain;

·        bulging of one or both eyes;

·        crossed eyes;

·        double vision;

·        loss of peripheral (side) vision;

·        diabetes mellitus;

·        AIDS;

·        thyroid disease-related eye problems (Graves’ disease);

·        a family history of eye disease.

You should also see an ophthalmologist if your family doctor, pediatrician, or internist refers you to one.

 

When there are no particular problems, recommended intervals for eye examinations are:

·        Newborn, pre-school and pre-teen: Eye exams should be given by a pediatrician, family doctor, or ophthalmologist at the following intervals:

·        newborn to three months

·        six months to one year

·        three years old

·        five years old

·        later as needed

20 to 29 years of age: At least once during this period

40 to 64 years of age: Every 2 to 4 years.

65 years or older: Every 1 to 2 years

What happens during an eye examination?

Your ophthalmologist and his or her assistants ask about your current symptoms and review your medical history. Eye drops to dilate your eyes may or may not be used during the exam.

The examination typically evaluates:

·        visual acuity;

·        need for eyeglasses or contact lenses (refraction);

·        eyelid health and function;

·        coordination of eye muscles;

·        pupil response to light;

·        side (peripheral) vision;

·        intraocular pressure (pressure inside the eye);

·        the anterior segment in the eye;

·        The interior and back of the eye.

What treatments are available for my eyes?

Your ophthalmologist will discuss the results of your eye examination with you. If your eyes are healthy, you may need only eyeglasses or contact lenses to correct your vision. Or you may not need any vision correction at all.

Some eye diseases are treated with medication, such as eye drops or pills. Other diseases may require laser surgery or other surgical procedures.

 

Your ophthalmologist can provide you with the treatment you need or, in some cases, may refer you to a subspecialist.

Some eye conditions cannot be cured. Nevertheless, your ophthalmologist can offer counseling and support while monitoring your condition. Good medical care is based on a cooperative relationship between you and your doctor. You should trust your ophthalmologist to give you accurate information about your eye problem and tell you about the risks and benefits of treatment options. You should also trust your ophthalmologist to keep your personal information confidential and to provide care with courtesy and respect. Your role in this cooperative relationship is to ask your ophthalmologist questions about your problem and treatment options and tell him or her about any other health factors that may affect your condition.

Loss of sight can be prevented! Many eye diseases do not cause symptoms for months or years. Therefore, regular visits to your ophthalmologist are as important as regular visits to your family physician. In many cases, early treatment of glaucoma, diabetic eye disease, crossed eyes, and some forms of macular degeneration can prevent loss of sight and even blindness.

Together, you and your ophthalmologist can work toward the goal of protecting your sight through early diagnosis and treatment of eye conditions.

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