Close to 4 million cataract surgeries are performed in the U.S. every year.
Maintaining healthy vision is paramount for a fulfilling life. An Ophthalmologist can help you achieve that.
What is an Ophthalmologist?
An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) specializing in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of all eye diseases and conditions. They undergo extensive training and are licensed to perform eye surgeries, prescribe medications, and treat complex eye diseases.
Overall, ophthalmologists:
- Perform eye surgeries: Including cataract removal, LASIK, glaucoma surgery, and retinal procedures.
- Diagnose and treat a wide range of eye diseases: Such as glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, cataracts, and eye infections.
- Prescribe medications: Including eye drops, oral medications, and injectable medications for various eye conditions.
- Conduct comprehensive eye exams: Including dilated eye exams, visual field tests, and optical coherence tomography (OCT).
Wellspire Medical ophthalmologist Dr. Tyler Ferguson provides a full range of eye care, from routine eye exams to diagnosing and treating serious eye conditions. Dr. Ferguson’s dual expertise allows him to serve as a comprehensive resource for your eye health, treating both common and complex issues with a personalized approach.
When Should You See an Ophthalmologist?
While maintaining routine eye exams is important, there are specific instances when seeing an ophthalmologist is essential:
- Sudden Vision Changes: Blurred vision, double vision, flashes of light, floaters, or loss of peripheral vision warrant immediate evaluation by an ophthalmologist.
- Eye Injuries: Any eye injury, no matter how minor, should be evaluated promptly by an ophthalmologist to prevent potential complications.
- Eye Disease Diagnosis: If you’ve been diagnosed with a condition such as glaucoma, macular degeneration, or diabetic retinopathy, regular follow-ups with an ophthalmologist are crucial for disease management and preventing further vision loss.
- Considering or Requiring Eye Surgery: If you are considering or require any type of eye surgery, ophthalmologists are the only physicians qualified provide the necessary evaluation, surgical expertise, and post-operative care.
- Experiencing Chronic Eye Problems: If you experience persistent eye discomfort, dryness, or other chronic eye issues, an ophthalmologist can accurately diagnose the underlying cause and provide appropriate treatment.
- Age-Related Eye Changes: The risk of conditions like cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration increases significantly with age. Regular eye exams with an ophthalmologist are essential for early detection and management of these conditions.
See Your Way to Better Eye Health
Your vision is precious. By seeking the expertise of an ophthalmologist like Dr. Ferguson at Wellspire Medical, you can proactively protect your eye health, detect and treat eye diseases early, and maintain optimal vision throughout your life.
If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms discussed or need a comprehensive eye exam, schedule an appointment with Dr. Ferguson today. His expertise will ensure you receive the personalized attention and expert care you need to maintain clear and healthy vision.
