Ophthalmology is the branch of medicine that deals with the anatomy, physiology, and diseases of the eye. Ophthalmologists are medical doctors who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of eye diseases. They must complete a five-year residency program in ophthalmology and pass medical licensing examinations.
If you see an ophthalmologist, you are dealing with an expert on all things vision and eye related. As for treatments that ophthalmologists provide, they offer both non-surgical and surgical methods. They are trained to perform surgery on the eye and surrounding structures. Let’s talk about the most common surgeries ophthalmologists perform.
Cataract Surgery
Cataracts is a common condition that causes the eye’s lens to become cloudy, making it difficult to see clearly. Cataract surgery is performed to remove the cloudy lens of the eye and replace it with a clear artificial lens. This is an outpatient procedure, which means you can return home on the same day as the procedure.
Refractive Surgery
Refractive surgeries aim to correct vision problems. Two of the most commonly performed are LASIK and PKK.
Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis (LASIK)
LASIK is a type of refractive surgery that corrects vision by reshaping the cornea, the clear front surface of the eye. It uses a laser to change the shape of your cornea, which is the clear, round dome at the front of your eye. LASIK can correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism.
Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK)
PRK is a type of refractive surgery that is used to correct vision problems. It involves the use of a laser to remove tissue from the cornea, which helps to change its shape and improve vision. PRK can be an effective treatment for various types of refractive errors, including myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism. Unlike LASIK, refractive surgery corrects vision by reshaping the cornea without creating a flap.
Vitreoretinal Surgery
This surgery is performed to correct problems with the retina and vitreous, which is the gel-like substance found between the lens and retina. It involves making tiny incisions in the eye and using small surgical instruments to make repairs that help improve or restore eyesight. Vitreoretinal surgery is used to correct many retinal diseases.
Surgery To Treat Macular Degeneration
Wet macular degeneration is a serious eye condition that can lead to vision loss. It occurs when abnormal blood vessels grow under the retina, in the macula. These new blood vessels leak fluid and bleed, causing damage to the macula.
Laser Photocoagulation
Laser photocoagulation is a procedure that uses laser light to coagulate (seal or close off) blood vessels. It is commonly used to treat retinal diseases such as diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration. If used to treat wet macular degeneration, it can prevent further vision loss.
Photodynamic Therapy
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a treatment for macular degeneration that uses light and photosensitizing drugs to destroy abnormal blood vessels in the eye. PDT can be used to treat early-stage wet macular degeneration before it causes severe vision loss.
Trabeculectomy
A trabeculectomy is surgery used in treating glaucoma. It involves making a small incision in the eye and creating a new channel for fluid to drain from it. This helps to reduce pressure in the eye and prevent further damage to the optic nerve.
Board-Certified Ophthalmologists in Washington, MO
You should only trust board-certified ophthalmologists with your eye care and treatment. At Advanced Sight Center, our doctors are board-certified and highly experienced in a range of surgeries to treat eye and vision problems. We are proud to maintain a reputation of excellence in our community. To schedule a consultation with one of our ophthalmologists, call our eye center today at (636) 239-1650 or use our convenient online request form.
