Eyesight is one of the essential senses in the body. Nearly everything we perceive originates through the sense of eyesight. As such, protecting the eyes should be the key priority. This helps eliminate and reduce risks of vision loss, blindness, and other chronic eye conditions from developing. 

Ophthalmology can help you with this. It’s a special field designed to oversee eye health, normal functionality, and any visual system concern that might arise. Moreover, it addresses a wide range of eye conditions affecting infants, children, adults, and older people. 

Definition of Ophthalmology 

Ophthalmology is a branch of medicine concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of a range of eye disorders. Usually, the eyes, including the structures and the entire visual system, are highly susceptible to various medical conditions. Such conditions can range from acute to chronic and fatal concerns, depending on the impaired structures or tissues. 

Ophthalmologists are thus, the medical specialists trained to handle and address all sorts of eye conditions. They specialize in diagnosing, providing therapy, and microsurgery treatment services to every patient with eye problems. Furthermore, they are responsible for identifying and examining the cause of the issue and developing the best treatment option.

Ophthalmology Subspecialties 

Ophthalmology is a wide field with various subspecialties focusing on particular parts of the eyes and diseases. Some of the major ophthalmology subspecialties include; 

• Comprehensive or general ophthalmology 

Focuses on treating a wide range of eye diseases, including conducting cataract surgery and prescribing contact lens or glasses. Sometimes, a general ophthalmologist can recommend you to another ophthalmologist, especially when specialized care and more skills are required. 

• Corneal ophthalmology

Corneal ophthalmology deals with the diagnosis and treatment of conditions affecting the cornea. The cornea is a clear front part of the eye. Besides, corneal ophthalmologists can perform procedures such as corneal transplantation and cross-linking to address the underlying conditions. 

• Glaucoma ophthalmology 

Glaucoma ophthalmology comprises specialists who focus on diagnosing and treating a range of conditions affecting the optic nerve, including glaucoma. They help manage eye pressure as an effective way of treating glaucoma. Depending on the condition, they can administer medications and perform a surgical procedure. 

• Refractive surgery 

Refractive surgery involves a corrective surgical procedure to correct refractive issues through lens surgery and laser eye surgery. Examples of refractive issues include long-sightedness (hyperopia), short-sightedness (myopia), astigmatism, and age-related long-sightedness. 

• Pediatric ophthalmology 

Pediatric ophthalmology specializes in diagnosing and treating various eye disorders affecting infants, young children, and adolescents. Examples of pediatric eye conditions include lazy eye, strabismus, trauma, and development or genetic abnormalities. 

• Retinal ophthalmology

Retinal ophthalmology focuses on diagnosing, treating, and managing various conditions of the back part of the eye. It comprises the following; 

• Retina; which is the light-sensitive tissue located at the back of the eye 
• Vitreous; this is a clear-jelly like fluid that normally fills the bulk of the eyes
• Macula; a section of the retina that facilitates central vision 

• Oculoplastic surgery 

This involves plastic surgery of the structures surrounding the eye. It includes the eye socket, tear drainage system, eyelid, and regions around the eyeball. 

• Neuro-ophthalmology

Focuses on treating sight issues associated with the nervous system and the brain. These conditions include:

• The unequal size of the pupil.
• Abnormal eye movement.
• Double vision.
• Other types of vision loss problems. 

Common Eye Conditions

Eye conditions can develop and affect any part of the eye. It can be the cornea, iris, lens, pupil, retina, macula, vitreous, and optic nerve. Some of the common eye conditions include; 

Glaucoma 

This is a group of eye conditions that can increase pressure around the eyes. As the pressure increases, it gradually affects the optic nerves and can result in vision impairment or loss. Glaucoma comprises two major types, including open-angle and angle-closure. Open-angle is usually common and occurs gradually, while angle closure is painful and occurs suddenly. 

Cataracts 

Cataracts are common eye conditions associated with vision problems and loss. A cataract refers to a painless cloudy lens that forms in the eye and can result in blurry vision. It’s a condition that gradually advances with age. As such, most individuals above the age of 70 usually experience cataract-like changes around the cornea. Apart from aging, health conditions like trauma, diabetes, excess UV light exposure, and certain medications can cause cataracts. 

Retinal detachment 

This condition occurs when the retina detaches or separates from the underlying structures. Accumulation of fluid under the retina causes separation of the retina from the backside of the eye. Although retinal detachment is a painless condition, the symptoms you can experience include flashing lights perception and floaters on the viewing field. 

Conjunctivitis 

This is an eye condition that causes inflammation and redness of the clear tissue. This tissue encloses the eye and the inner parts of the eyelids or conjunctiva. Viral and bacterial infections are the main causes of conjunctivitis. However, irritants such as pollutants, allergens, and chemicals can also trigger the condition. 

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) 

This is an eye condition that is more common in people at the age of 60 and above. However, it can sometimes develop at any age. Age-related macular degeneration gradually damages the macula, the central part of the retina that facilitates focus. 

Uveitis 

Uveitis causes inflammation of the middle layers around the uvea. Uvea refers to the layers of the eyes containing veins and arteries that normally feed the essential structures facilitating viewing. Trauma, eye injury, inflammatory conditions, and inflammations are the common causes of uveitis. 

Eye allergies 

Chronic eye allergies can result in eye damages that can interfere with the eyesight. Allergies refer to the severe inflammation that can highly destroy the cornea part of the eye. The common triggers of eye allergies include seasonal allergic reactions and sensitivity to medications, cosmetics, or dust. 

Blepharitis 

This is an inflammation that occurs in the eyelids. It can also occur on the inner or the outer part of the eyelid. Blepharitis is usually characterized by swelling, burning, itchiness, tearing, blurry vision, and crusting of the eyelids. 

Strabismus 

This refers to a misalignment condition where one or both eyes turn upward, downward, inward, or outward. Strabismus can trigger lazy eye conditions or permanent vision loss if not diagnosed and treated on time. 

Other types of ophthalmologic diseases include; 

• Keratoconus 
• Sty 
• Chalazion or eyelid cyst 
• Corneal ulcer 
• Diabetic retinopathy 
• Floaters 
• Color blindness 
• Refractive errors 

When to see an Ophthalmologist

The signs and symptoms of eye conditions often vary depending on the condition. However, it’s essential to see an ophthalmologist if you are experiencing chronic eye vision signs or symptoms such as; 

• Excess tearing 
• Bulging eyes
• Eyelid problems or abnormalities 
• Blocked, reduced, distorted, and double vision 
• Misaligned eyes 
• Strings or black specks referred to as floaters in the viewing field 
• Seeing colored-like circles around the lights 
• Peripheral vision loss 
• Unexplained or extreme eye redness 
• Seeing light flashes 
• Eye injury 
• Unexplainable or sudden chronic eye pain 
• Sudden changes or loss of vision 

Ophthalmology Procedures

Ophthalmologists often perform various tests and procedures to address eye conditions depending on the patient’s age and underlying symptoms. Some of the common ophthalmology procedures include; 

• Refractive error test 

Refractive error is an eye condition where the eyes' shape cannot bend light as it should. This causes blurry vision and unclear images. Ophthalmologists can conduct refractive error tests after dilation to help determine the objective measurement. 

• Motility tests

The motility test refers to the quantitative measuring of the ocular misalignment. It’s an alternative procedure for medical planning and surgically managing strabismus. Strabismus is a vision defect where one of the eyes cannot focus properly due to eye muscle imbalance.

• Dilated fundus examination

This procedure involves the use of mydriatic eye drops to help enlarge or dilate the pupil. The aim of this is to give a better and clearer viewing of the fundus around the eye. It can also help identify certain ocular conditions, such as glaucoma and cataracts. 

• Visual assessment

The visual assessment procedure is mainly designed for children. It involves conducting direct tests and evaluating the physical things that are seen with the naked eye and can be directly assessed on the visual field. This helps paint an image of how the children use their vision, including the vision skills to be developed further. During the examination, the ophthalmologists usually apply varying visual assessment methods depending on the age. 

• Vision screening

This is a screening procedure to check and treat various eye problems while still at the early stage. Vision screening aims to promote healthy vision in every patient, including infants, children, adults, and older people. 

Conclusion 

Ophthalmology is both a medical and surgical branch concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of eye conditions. It focuses on providing inclusive ophthalmic care to help enhance the overall health and well-being of the patients. Furthermore, it aims at preventing chronic visual complications. 

To access the best ophthalmic care and treatment services, you can always consider the CloudHospital medical platform. Here, you will get a chance to receive treatment from the best-renowned ophthalmologists regardless of age and eye condition.