If you have been to the optometrist and you were given a diagnosis that requires surgery, there is a good chance you will get referred to an ophthalmologist. This type of eye specialists is considered a medical doctor that has the training to perform eye surgeries. Here are three common types of eye surgeries that are performed by an ophthalmologist.
Cataract Surgery
Cataracts is a common eye disorder that causes vision loss in people over the age of 40. Twenty-two million Americans are affected by cataracts. There are three types of cataracts including:
Thankfully, this condition can be easily remedied by cataract surgery. During this procedure, the lens that is causing cloudy vision gets removed and replaced with something called an artificial lens. In many cases, cataract surgery can completely restore the vision so that eyeglasses are no longer needed.
Blocked Tear Duct Surgery
If you have a blocked tear duct, it means that your tears can't drain as they normally should, causing your eye to become watery, red, and irritated. Some people are able to unclog their tear duct by taking a warm washcloth and wiping the eye from the inner eye to the outer part of it. A gentle massage can help things flow normally as well. Applying a warm compress can also help.
While blocked tear ducts are common in children, they do also occur in adults. If none of the prescribed at-home remedies helps with a blocked tear duct, surgery may be necessary. This type of surgery is called a dacryocystorhinostomy and involves opening the passageway for tears to drain out of the nose again. An ophthalmologist performs this type of surgery as an outpatient procedure.
Vitrectomy
Your eye contains something called vitreous gel, which is a thick gel-like fluid that fills the space in the middle of the eye and helps the eyeball to maintain its shape. There are times when this gel begins to bleed. In most instances, this bleeding will clear up on its own, but if it doesn't, the vitreous gel will need to get removed. This is called a vitrectomy.
This type of eye surgery is also done in other instances including:
This type of surgery can help to improve vision, especially for those who have bleeding in the eye.
Share25 May 2018
When a friend of mine started experiencing cloudy vision, they decided to put off a trip to their optometrist's office. Unfortunately, three months later, they found themselves completely blind in one eye—a condition that ended up being permanent. It turned out that they had an undiagnosed eye infection that destroyed their vision. After hearing about that problem, we realized that it might be smart to visit our eye doctor early—before permanent problems set in. Check out this blog for reasons not to skip out on early vision appointments, so that you can protect your family's vision and keep everyone happy and healthy.
