Eye Care
Ophthalmologists affiliated with Northwest Health provide eye care services to preserve or improve eyesight, utilizing surgical techniques to provide care for a range of vision problems. Surgeries are performed in the hospital setting while other treatments are performed at the physician clinics.
Ophthalmologists treat conditions such as:
Astigmatism
Astigmatism is a condition that causes blurred vision, which occurs when the cornea is irregularly shaped or sometimes because of the curvature of the lens inside the eye. Irregularly shaped corneas or lenses prevent light from focusing correctly on the retina. Other symptoms may be headaches or eye discomfort. Laser treatment can be used to treat some types of astigmatism.
Cataracts
A cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye. Although the cause of cataracts is not determined, several possible causes include: age; smoking; medical conditions such as diabetes, glaucoma and metabolic abnormalities; excessive exposure to sunlight; and medications such as oral steroids, diuretics and certain major tranquilizers.
Diabetic retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy is the most common eye disease in people diagnosed with diabetes. Blood vessels are damaged in the back of the eye, which can result in vision loss or blindness. Some people may experience rapid vision loss, while others may have vision loss that worsens over time. When diabetic retinopathy begins, it may not affect your vision. However, it can harm vision over time. Symptoms include blurry or double vision, flashing lights, cloudy vision, darkened vision, floaters (which are dark spots or black lines), pain or pressure in one or both eyes, difficulty reading, constant eye redness or loss of peripheral vision.
Eye injuries
Common eye injuries include cuts, punctures, scratches, foreign body or debris in the eye, chemical burns or a blow or impact to the eye. It's important to get medical attention right away if you or someone else experiences these signs or symptoms: pain or trouble seeing, cut or torn eyelid, one eye does not move as well as the other, one eye sticks out more than the other, unusual pupil shape or size, blood in the clear part of the eye or if there is something in the eye or under the eyelid that cannot be removed easily.
Eyelid surgery
One part of aging many people face is trouble with their vision. Sometimes, it's not the eyes that are the issue, but the skin around them. Those suffering from trouble with peripheral vision – people who have trouble with their upper and outer field of vision – may be candidates for eyelid surgery. Also known as blepharoplasty, this outpatient procedure can: correct droopy eyelids, remove excess upper eyelid skin that interferes with vision, correct bags under the eyes or remove excess skin on the lower eyelids.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma typically occurs when fluid builds up inside the eye putting pressure on the optic nerve. Often, it has no symptoms – so regular eye exams are very important. Most people who are diagnosed and treated early may be able to slow its progression.
Macular degeneration
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a disease that affects an individual's central vision. AMD is the most common cause of severe vision loss among people older than 60. AMD can make it difficult to read, drive or perform other daily activities that require fine, central vision.
It occurs when the macula, which is located in the center of the retina and provides us with sight in the center of our field of vision, begins to degenerate. With less of the macula working, central vision – necessary for driving, reading, recognizing faces and performing close-up work – begins to deteriorate.
Pterygium
Pterygium, also known as surfer's eye, can affect people of all ages – including children – that spend extended amounts of time in the sunshine. Although the main cause of pterygium is uncertain, experts believe ultraviolet light, wind, dust and even dry eye are contributing factors. Usually preceded by a condition called pinguecula – a yellow bump or patch near the cornea – ptergyium is a pink and flesh-like tissue growth on the white of the eyes. The growth usually starts forming in the part of the eye closest to the nose and continues toward the center of the eye. Symptoms of pterygium include: feeling like there is something in the eye or a gritty feeling, red appearance, burning, itching or blurred vision.
To find an ophthalmologist near you, visit the Find a Doctor section and search for an ophthalmologist.