Ophthalmology
Eyes | Ophthalmology (Medicine Field)
Description
Ophthalmology is a medical specialty dealing with disorders of the eye.
Specialization
An ophthalmologist is a specialist in both medical and surgical eye problems and can choose ophthalmology sub-specialties which deal either with certain diseases or diseases of certain parts of the eye. Ophthalmologists also often provide routine vision care services such as prescribing eyeglasses and contact lenses.
Optometrists and opticians are other eye care professionals, but they are not medical doctors. Optometrists generally provide routine vision care services, prescribe eyeglasses and fit contact lenses. Optometrists may not perform any form of surgery. Opticians dispense eyeglasses, but do not perform eye exams.
Symptoms and Diseases
Symptoms of eye conditions vary and depend on the underlying condition. Symptoms of eye conditions include: bleeding or other discharge from the eye, dry eyes, eye irritation or pain, eyelid swelling, increased sensitivity to light, headache, increased tear production and watery eyes, itchy eyes, red and sore eyes. An eye injury or infection may be accompanied by inflammation and pain.
Common eye conditions include: Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD), Allergies, Amblyopia (Lazy Eye), Astigmatism, Bacterial Keratitis, Blepharitis, Cataracts, Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye), Detached and Torn Retina, Diabetic Retinopathy, Dry Eye, Floaters and Flashes, Glaucoma, Low Vision, Myopia (Nearsightedness), Presbyopia (Aging Eye), Stye. In some cases, the causes of eye conditions are not known, but usually the cause vary depending on the type of eye condition and the individual cases.
Certain factors increase the risk of developing an eye condition and these are: age older than 60 years, diabetes, eye injury, family history of eye condition, such as cataract, glaucoma, or macular degeneration, involvement in contact sports that might lead to an eye injury and smoking. ...