Ophthalmologists differ from optometrists and opticians in their levels of training and in what they can diagnose and treat. As a medical doctor who has completed college and at least eight years of additional medical training, an ophthalmologist is licensed to practice medicine and surgery.

An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor (MD) or a doctor of osteopathic medicine (DO) who specializes in eye and vision care. Ophthalmologists are trained to perform eye exams, diagnose and treat disease, prescribe medications and perform eye surgery. They also write prescriptions for eyeglasses and contact lenses.

It is not necessary, but if you have been referral letter, then please let us know which Doctor has referred you so we can provide them with a report if need be.

Finding and treating the disease early, before it causes vision loss or blindness, is the best way to control diabetic eye disease. So if you have diabetes, make sure you get a comprehensive dilated eye examination at least once a year.

A cataract is a clouding of the eyes natural crystalline lens that may affect one or both eyes. When left untreated, cataracts can progress over time and lead to severe loss of vision.

The Blood Pressure (BP) and Blood Sugar should be in control. E C G and a medical checkup may be required in some cases.

Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases involving progressive damage to the optic nerve accompanied by a build-up of pressure inside the eye. It is a sight threatening and often symptom less diseases and has a strong family history. If left untreated, glaucoma can result in significant vision loss and even blindness.

The 2 main types of glaucoma are open-angle glaucoma and angle-closure glaucoma. In angle-closure glaucoma, the normal drainage canals within the eye are blocked, and this block can be acute (sudden) or chronic (long-lasting). In open-angle glaucoma, the drainage system remains open, but is dysfunctional. Other types include congenital glaucoma, normal tension glaucoma, and secondary glaucoma.

Everyone is at risk for glaucoma. However certain groups are at higher risk than others. People at high risk for glaucoma should get a complete eye exam, including eye dilation, every one or two years. If you are over age 60, diabetic or have a family member with glaucoma, you are at higher risk for glaucoma than others. Other risk factors are steroid users, eye injury, High myopia (nearsightedness), Hypertension, central corneal thickness less than 0.5mm.

The retina is a very thin layer of tissue that lines the inner part of the back of the eye and functions like the film of a camera. It captures light like camera film and then transmits that image to the brain so that it can be processed into a visual image. The macula is the most specialized area of this retina tissue and allows us to see detailed, central vision. This is the vision that allows us to read, watch television, and recognize faces.

Diabetic eye disease refers to a group of eye problems that people with diabetes may face as a complication of this disease. All can cause severe vision loss or even blindness. Diabetic eye disease includes.

• Glaucoma: Increase in fluid pressure inside the eye that leads to optic nerve damage and loss of vision
• Diabetic retinopathy: Damage to the blood vessels in the retina.
• Cataract: Clouding of the lens of the eye.