When to See an Ophthalmologist

Ophthalmologists provide a full range of eye care from preventative vision exams to surgical treatments for serious eye diseases. They also prescribe eyeglasses and contacts.

Like a family doctor, an ophthalmologist goes through medical school and then specialty training in a specific area of ophthalmology called a subspecialty. Subspecialty areas include general ophthalmology, neuro-ophthalmology, retinal conditions, pediatrics, glaucoma, and oculoplastics.

Eye Pain

Eye pain is a common symptom of a variety of medical conditions. When it co-occurs with other worrying symptoms, such as blurry vision, headache, nausea, or vomiting, it's essential to see an ophthalmologist right away.

A doctor may diagnose this type of eye pain with a slit-lamp exam and dilating drops to expand your pupil to help them see deeper into your eye. Other tests might also be needed, such as a complete blood count and X-rays of the optic nerve. Additional info

Vision Problems

If your vision suddenly gets blurry or double, it could be a sign of a serious eye condition. Your ophthalmologist can examine you and take a series of tests to determine what’s causing the issue.

Floaters, or spots, in your vision are a normal part of the aging process, but if you see new floaters, flashes, and bright lights that appear when you look at objects, it’s a good idea to go in for an eye exam.

Eye Infections

Eye infections are a common ailment that can be painful or serious. They can also lead to permanent vision loss if they aren’t treated quickly and effectively.

Eye infections are usually the result of viruses, bacteria, fungi, or parasites. They are contagious and spread easily, so it’s important to follow good hygiene habits to reduce your risk of catching one. Check this out

Vision Loss

Whether you're experiencing vision loss or noticing other signs that something may be wrong, it's important to see an ophthalmologist. They'll be able to help you identify what's causing your problems and offer the best treatment options for you.

Vision loss can happen suddenly or slowly over time. It can also result from a disease like age-related macular degeneration (AMD) or glaucoma.

Eye Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a group of eye disorders that damage your optic nerve. This leads to vision loss if not diagnosed and treated early.

The best way to catch glaucoma is to get routine eye exams from an ophthalmologist. These simple tests can detect the disease before it causes vision loss or blindness.

Macular Degeneration

Seeing an eye doctor is important when you notice changes in your central vision. This includes blurry or hazy vision, the need for brighter lights when reading, and straight lines appearing wavy or bent.

Age-related macular degeneration is usually dry and characterized by yellow deposits that form under the retina, called drusen. However, the condition can progress to a wet or exudative form of macular degeneration.

Glaucoma Screening

Ophthalmologists perform a series of tests to diagnose glaucoma and assess your vision. These simple and painless procedures can help catch glaucoma early before it leads to permanent vision loss.

Your doctor will likely start with a test called perimetry. This involves looking straight ahead and indicating when a moving light passes through your vision.

Contact Lenses

Contact lenses are thin plastic disks that sit on the front of your eye to correct vision problems. They refract light to focus on your retina, just like eyeglasses.

After performing a comprehensive eye exam, an ophthalmologist in NYC will prescribe you custom contact lenses that are tailored to your unique vision and eye shape. These may include single-vision, bifocal or multifocal contacts.

Eyeglasses

Eyeglasses are a tool that helps you focus light on your retina (the area of the back of the eye responsible for seeing). They come in a variety of lenses, including progressive, bi-focal, and tri-focal.

If you have a refractive error such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism, your doctor will assess the problem and prescribe corrective lenses.

Eyelid Surgery

If your eyelids are drooping or you have puffy bags under your eyes, you may be a good candidate for eyelid surgery. This procedure removes excess fat and skin to improve your appearance.

During surgery, your doctor will make a cut in your upper or lower eyelid. The surgeon then removes excess fat, skin, and muscle. The incisions are usually closed with sutures.