If you are looking for an ophthalmologist in Charleston or the Summerville, SC area then chances are you already know what an ophthalmologist is or you may be wondering what type of eye doctor you should see. Our eyes are so important to us so it is crucial that you visit a doctor with whom you feel comfortable and can trust.
In fact, it is more common than you may think. We hear these same questions every day and have helped countless people live happier, more fulfilling lives.
Contact us at (843) 553–2477 to schedule a consultation and speak with someone on our team that can help you take the next step towards vision correction.
Having an experienced expert that has helped many patients with the same types of issues you have is so important. With so many different types of eye doctors and specializations in the field it can get confusing so we are going to answer the most common questions related to ophthalmology and what to expect from an ophthalmologist.
An ophthalmologist is a surgical specialist and medical doctor that focuses on diagnosing and treating eye conditions and performing eye-related surgeries. These doctors focus on assessing comprehensive eye health and helping you to manage various conditions. They can analyze function, structure, and other relevant details of eye health, as well as precisely diagnose and prescribe treatments for various eye diseases.
The word ophthalmologist comes from the Greek language. The word “ophthalmos” in Greek means eye, while “logia” describes studying something. The entire ophthalmology field is dedicated to eyes and their health, function, structure, etc. That is because eyes are a vital organ since they provide vision, which largely affects the quality of life of every person.
Although the word ophthalmology originates from the Greek language, history indicates that an Indian surgeon was among the first to dedicate to this field. At around 800 BC, Sushruta wrote about different eye conditions noted in the people he treated. The subsequent periods all gave contributions to this field and influenced the shape of modern ophthalmology. Today, the best doctors have the privilege of using advanced technology and state-of-the-art equipment, but many surgical techniques were first established by ophthalmologists from the past. More information can be found in this in depth look at ophthalmology.
Ophthalmologists put their focus on diagnosing and treating eye conditions that could cause partial or complete loss of eyesight. Everything starts by scheduling an exam. They will perform a comprehensive eye assessment, which includes a series of tests.
The idea of those tests is to find if any abnormalities exist. If they discover something unusual, ophthalmologists proceed to diagnose an eye condition. These conditions could be simple or complex and the therapy prescribed will depend upon that. An ophthalmologist will recommend any required course of treatment to preserve vision. That could include prescriptions for glasses, medications, or recommendations for surgical treatment.
An ophthalmology expert specializes in eye surgeries of various types. That could include repairing retinal detachment, extracting cataracts, replacing lenses, treating glaucoma, transplants, reshaping of the cornea, etc. Although many ophthalmologists have sub-specialties such as cataract surgery, glaucoma treatment, eye lift surgery, or they may be a diabetic eyecare specialist, many are trained to perform all types of surgeries related to the eyes.
Wondering what may be causing your loss of vision? Schedule an eye exam today to take the first step towards seeing more clearly!
Patients often get optometrists and ophthalmologists confused, which is perfectly fine and quite common. However, understanding what services you can expect from each is imperative to getting the best possible care.
An optometrist is capable of providing routine personalized eye care. These health care providers complete a postgraduate course that can last approximately four years. During the program, they learn various eye examination methods, as well as how to assess client case histories. An optometrist is a person to visit for a regular eye exam, or when you need a new contact prescription or eyeglasses refitted. While they are capable of issuing prescriptions for contact lenses and eyeglasses, and they can diagnose eye conditions, optometrists are not surgical experts.
Ophthalmologists are medical doctors who are surgical experts that specialize in eye surgery procedures. They completed a comprehensive medical program and finished a residency, which often takes up to seven years. An Ophthalmologist might have sub-specialties in eye disease, but they also completed surgical training for all eye-related conditions.
An ophthalmologist not only provides all basic optometry services, but also medical and surgical treatments and post-operative rehabilitation. These medical doctors who are capable of performing various eye-related surgical procedures usually focus on surgical treatments and managing eye diseases, but perform comprehensive eye health assessments as well.
An ophthalmologist is a specialist for detecting different types of eye illnesses and conditions. These include:
Refractive imperfections are the most common cause of impaired vision. That could include far and near-sightedness, inability to focus on close objects, etc.
A relatively common eye condition that can cause loss of vision. A cataract clouds the lens of the eyes, and surgery is often the solution to the problem. Ophthalmologists perform these and other eye-related surgeries. Learn more about cataract surgery.
Glaucoma is a condition that could lead to blindness, especially if left untreated. Medications, lasers, and surgeries are potential options for treating this condition that damages the optic nerve of an eye. Learn more about glaucoma surgery.
This condition is often caused by aging. Although there is no cure, the doctor will recommend a treatment to slow down the progression of degeneration. Learn more about macular degeneration.
This condition can have a number of causes and can often be improved with surgery. Learn more about eye lift surgery.
These are only some common eye conditions that ophthalmologists can diagnose. Principally, they are capable of detecting any eye-related illness and helping you manage it. That might include prescriptions for glasses, lenses, and medications, but it could also include laser, refractive, cataract, and other types of surgeries.
Although our practice is located in the Summerville area our patients come to us from areas such as North Charleston, Monks Corner, Goose Creek, Ladson, Johns Island, James Island, Folly Beach, West Ashley, Mt. Pleasant, Sullivan’s Island, Isle of Palms, Daniel Island and even as far out as Awendaw, Kiawah Island, Seabrook Island, Beaufort, and Hilton Head due to our exceptional care.
Don’t Continue to Tolerate Eye Discomfort or Put Up With Blurry Vision For Even One More Day
Contact us at (843) 553–2477 to speak with a specialist that can find the answers you need and walk you through the entire process.
