Bellville Ophthalmology Surgery

Pediatric optometry — what is it, and does your child need it for proper vision and eye development? First of all, why pediatric optometry? Aren't all optometrists qualified to care for the eyes of both children and adults?

Many patients question whether they should see an ophthalmologist or an optometrist where surgery is concerned. And what is the difference between an ophthalmologist and an optometrist, anyway?

The primary difference between an ophthalmologist and an optometrist is that while both are eye doctors, the optometrist’s primary focus is upon optics and eye disorders; he can also assist patients with vision therapy, when necessary. The ophthalmologist, on the other hand, is trained to focus upon eye disease and surgery of the eye.

 

Surgery on the eye can be a frightening prospect for many people, especially for those who have had few problems with their vision before. A good ophthalmologist should be able to explain the surgery to you in detail, during a full consultation. They will also be able to explain any risks. It's important that people experiencing vision problems do not delay or put off surgery, as quick action is often required in order to prevent permanent loss of vision.

 

Often, children with vision problems, upon entering school, are labeled as lazy, learning-disabled, or as possessing ADD-HD (attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder). However, it is simply very difficult to focus on reading when all the words on the page blur together.

 

Some of the more common types of eye surgery include:

• Cataract surgery, in which the lens of the eye is replaced;
• Glaucoma surgery, to decrease the amount of pressure within the eye typically by removing fluid or decreasing fluid production;
• Laser eye surgery, to seal a tear in the retina;
• LASIK, or Laser assisted in-situ keratomileusis, in which a laser is used to reshape the eye;
• Strabismus eye surgery, to correct a crossed or wandering eye.

Ophthalmology is about more than just surgery, though. Ophthalmologists are carefully trained in eye disease, eye structure, and the function of the eye. Many ophthalmologists specialize in specific diseases or certain parts of the eye, such as specializing in cataracts. Some specialize in pediatrics, or disorders commonly associated with children, such as strabismus.

Strabismus is another way of saying “crossed” or “wandering” eye. It is extremely common in young children. If not taken care of, however, it can lead to a permanent vision deficiency.

When both eyes are looking in different directions, the brain can’t process the information properly, so, in effect, it turns one eye off. Over time, that eye will develop less and vision in that eye will be blurred. This is correctable in children, but in adults, it is very hard to treat. That is why pediatric ophthalmology is highly recommended.

An optometrist can test color vision and depth perception, as well as visual acuity. They can also diagnose problems such as glaucoma and cataracts (which can be found in the pediatric population, unfortunately), and provide pre- and post- surgical care.

 

Strabismus, also called “crossed” or “wandering” eye, is a common problem in young children in which the eyes move independently of each other. A child with this problem cannot experience three-dimensional vision until the problem is resolved.

When both eyes are looking in different directions, the brain can’t process the information properly, so, in effect, it turns one eye off. Over time, that eye will develop less and vision in that eye will be blurred. This is correctable in children, but in adults, it is very hard to treat. That is why pediatric ophthalmology is highly recommended.

Another common problem is the cataract. If an adult lives for long enough, he is almost certain to develop cataracts, which are due to changes in the structure of the eye. At first, the symptoms of cataracts or other eye problems, for that matter, can be nearly impossible to detect. This is why regular eye exams are so important. Regular eye exams can also catch systemic disease, such as diabetes or high blood pressure.

Macular degeneration is another disorder that makes it hard to see fine detail, and it occurs more commonly in women than in men. While the causes are still unknown, one of the effective methods of treating macular degeneration is a laser surgery that removes the abnormal blood vessels causing the blurred vision.

See an eye doctor regularly. Protect yourself against permanent vision loss.