What is Ophthalmology?
Ophthalmology is a branch of medicine dealing with the anatomy, physiology, and diseases of the eye. All evaluations that purport to diagnose eye disease should be carried out by an ophthalmologist. An ophthalmologist is a doctor of medicine who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the eye, in addition to diagnosing a systemic diseases that manifests in eye signs or symptoms. Since ophthalmologists perform operations on the eyes, they are considered to be both surgical and medical specialists.
The word ‘ophthalmology’ comes from the Greek roots ‘ophthalmos’, meaning eye, and ‘logos’ meaning word, thought, or discourse. Ophthalmology literally means ‘the science of eyes’. Ophthalmology treatment in India is one of the world’s best. Trained medical practitioners study and practice this branch of medicine in top hospitals of the country.
Ophthalmology Versus Optometry
Ophthalmology and Optometry are two different branches of medicine concerning the human eyes. Both have similarities but are not be confused with each other as they have their differences.
An Optometrist works in the field of sight testing, diagnosing, correcting, and treatment of vision changes. Basically, an Optometrist is an eye health care professional and not a medical doctor. The study of the field of optometry involves performing different vision and eye care tests, detecting certain eye abnormalities, prescribes for several eye care diseases, and dispensing and prescribing corrective lenses. While an ophthalmologist is a certified medical doctor treating vision and eye care. An ophthalmologist differs from opticians and optometrists in terms of training and treatment. An Ophthalmologist has completed the full training medical program
and is licensed to perform surgery and medicine.
Ophthalmology Treatments
Using state-of-the-art technology, Ophthalmology treatments in India cover numerous eye conditions, including cataracts, retinal diseases, glaucoma and other vision related disorders. Ophthalmology deals with treatment of disorders of eye.
Cataract Eye Surgery
Cataract results because of the clouding of the normal lens of the eyes due to multiple reasons. Cataract formation can be a part of normal ageing process. It can also occur after prolonged exposure to sun light ( U.V rays), following injury to the eye, after prolonged use of medicines like steroids, in diabetics or in metabolic disorders. However, it cannot be corrected by any other means apart from surgery. In the initial stages, glasses can be prescribed, however sooner or later surgery is required. read more…
Refractive eye surgeries
Refractive errors are one of the commonest causes of low vision. They need to be corrected to restore good vision. They are of three types.
1.Myopia – in this one can see near objects clearly but distant objects are blurred. There is basically some changes in the length of the eyeball or the curvature of cornea because of which the light rays are focused in front of retina rather than being focused at it. It is also known as NEAR SIGHTEDNESS read more…
Retinal disorders and their management
- DIABTEIC RETINOPATHY – diabetes is a metabolic disorder in which either there is shortage of insulin to metabolise sugar or there is development of Insulin resistance because of which it doesn’t act properly. The functional deficiency of Insulin leads to raised blood sugar levels which can damage the kidneys, eyes and multiple organs. Long standing and uncontrolled diabetes leads to damage to the blood vessels of the retina leading to Diabetic retinopathy. read more…
Retinal Detachment
retina is the light sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. Human retina is made up of 10 layers. The outermost layer is the most sensitive layer made of special types of cells known as photoreceptors ( rods and cones). When this outermost layer separates from the remaining 9 inner layers then it is known as RETINAL DETACHMENT. There can be multiple risk factors like – Rad more…
Retinopathy Of Prematurity
It is a blinding disorder which affects premature infants born before 31 weeks of gestation and in those who weigh less than 1250gms or 2 .75 pounds. it is caused by abnormal development of the retinal blood vessels. ROP is a common disease in premature infants. In the U.S , 50% of the 28000 premature babies born in a year may exhibit some features of this disease. Majority of the infants have minor disease and require serial follow ups. However few babies may have a severe form of disease which is potentially blinding. Read more…
Glaucoma Surgeries
Glaucoma is a group of related conditions in which there is gradual loss of vision due to damage to the optic nerve which is caused by high intraocular pressure. It is one of the important causes of blindness after 60 years of age.
TYPES OF GLAUCOMA –
1. OPEN ANGLE GLAUCOMA – in this type , there is impaired drainage of the aqueous humor by the trabecular meshwork. Aqueous humor is the fluid which is found in front of the lens of the eye and its insufficient drainage causes rise in the pressure of the eye ( Intraocular pressure, IOP) which gradually leads to optic nerve damage and loss of vision. Read more…
Corneal Diseases
In keratoconus, there is thinning of the cornea which later bulges out. It gradually acquires the shape of a cone. The patient usually present with blurry vision which gradually worsens without treatment. There is increased sensitivity to light and glare at night which causes difficulty in driving. There may be frequent a change of glasses. Patient may have recurrent episodes of sudden cloudy and decreased vision (ACUTE HYDROPS) Read More…