Do You Need to See an Ophthalmologist?

SAN FRANCISCO, CA, December 04, 2010 (Press-News.org) When your vision begins to blur do you just head out to an optometrist assuming that you need glasses? With so many chain store ads for eyewear it is easy to think of them first. And if you are in your twenties or thirties, that may be sufficient to get the vision improvement you need. But because of the fragile nature of your eyes, it is worth doing a little research to be sure that IS all you need. There is a world of difference between the care an ophthalmologist offers and what an optometrist can offer. If you do not know whether you have a serious underlying disease or disorder or how systemic disease can affect your vision it is possible that you might not get the right kind of care until it is too late.

What Does an Ophthalmologist Do

Although optometrists are "doctors of optometry" (DO) ophthalmologists are either medical doctors (MD) or doctors of osteopathy (OD). In addition, ophthalmologists may choose to complete extended studies in a sub-specialty, such as pediatric ophthalmology.

Ophthalmologists can do everything an optometrist can do, but tend to pick up where optometry leaves off. That is, they offer surgical correction for refractive error using blade, radio wave or, as used in LASIK, laser technology. Ophthalmologists do cataract surgery, treat macular degeneration and treat a host of other disorders and diseases.

Ophthalmologists also offer cosmetic eye treatment using BOTOX Cosmetic, Latisse or laser skin rejuvenation.

Why You Might Need an Ophthalmologist

If you, or anyone in your family has a history of diabetes, high blood pressure or other systemic diseases it is a good idea to see an ophthalmologist. Long-term effects of some diseases can affect your retina, macula, lens and other parts of your eyes, causing permanent damage or blindness. Early detection may save your vision, or at least minimize or delay the progression of damage.

Pediatric patients who need glasses before age five or six, or those who have "Lazy Eye" or "Crossed Eyes" should see an ophthalmologist. Lazy Eye, or amblyopia, can lead to blindness. Pediatric eye disorders are usually serious.

Ophthalmologists treat certain muscle conditions such as ptosis, or drooping eyelids.

The more common reasons peoples see ophthalmologists include LASIK or other laser vision correction, for refractive lens exchange, or for lens replacement surgery, a common treatment for cataracts.

If you need an ophthalmologist in San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose and Pleasanton, California, please visit the website of experienced ophthalmologist Dr. Gary Kawesch at the Laser Eye Center of Silicon Valley serving.

Website: http://www.lasikdocs.com