An ophthalmologist treats vision and eye issues as a medical or surgical specialist. All ophthalmologists must complete four years of undergraduate school, four years of medical school, and four to seven years of a residency program.
Ophthalmology services include the following:
- Routine eye exams and refilling prescriptions
- Medical and surgical treatment of vision problems such as glaucoma, cataracts, iritis, trauma, and chemical burns
- Visual complications caused by other conditions, such as diabetic retinopathy
- Cosmetic surgery for correcting eyelids and wrinkles
When should you visit an ophthalmologist?
Recognizing eye-related symptoms is essential for determining when to seek the expertise of an ophthalmologist. Through comprehensive eye examinations, they can exclude potential severe conditions and, if identified, initiate prompt treatment to avert further deterioration. The following ten common signs serve as indicators for consulting an ophthalmologist:
- Eye pain - Persistent sharp or throbbing pain in one or both eyes can signal various issues such as vision changes, eye infections, dirty contact lenses, allergies, or prolonged exposure to smoke and air pollutants.
- Constant headaches - There are several links between chronic headaches and eye-related issues like glaucoma, computer vision syndrome, or optic nerve inflammation.
- Eye infection - Viral or bacterial eye infections manifest through symptoms like redness, itching, irritation, pain, swelling, watery eyes, yellowish discharge, blurred vision, and fever, often resulting from allergic reactions, eye injuries, or wearing contact lenses while sleeping.
- Blurred vision - When objects, whether near or far, appear blurry, it may indicate refractive errors. Prescription glasses or contact lenses help correct these errors. However, blurred vision could also be a sign of severe conditions like cataracts, age-related macular degeneration, or eye trauma.
- Light sensitivity - Increased sensitivity to light may indicate severe conditions such as migraines, corneal abrasion, conjunctivitis, or dry eye syndrome.
- Dry eyes - Symptoms include a burning sensation, light sensitivity, redness, difficulty wearing contact lenses, watery eyes, eye fatigue, and a frequent urge to rub the eyes, with causes ranging from aging and hormonal changes to seasonal allergies, medications, or illnesses.
- Flashers and floaters - Obstructed vision accompanied by flashers, floaters, and halos could indicate retinal detachment, a severe condition that may lead to untreated vision loss.
- Double vision - Seeing double images of the same object is a common symptom of conditions like cataracts, astigmatism, dry eye syndrome, or iris abnormalities, necessitating potential changes in prescription for contact lenses or glasses.
- Night vision problems - Difficulty seeing at night, while commonly associated with aging, could also be caused by conditions such as cataracts, glaucoma, diabetes, or Vitamin A deficiency.
- Diabetes - Routine eye exams are crucial for individuals with diabetes to detect and prevent diabetic retinopathy, a common complication associated with the condition.
The retina is the tissue layer at the back of the eyes that is sensitive to light and allows us to form images of everything we see. Damage to the macula, a pigmented region in the retina's center, is known as macular degeneration. This vision disorder, known as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), is more frequent in older persons.
AMD is one of the main causes of loss of vision in American adults aged 50 and older. It causes blurring of the central vision, which helps us perform day-to-day activities. These patients don't lose sight entirely, as their peripheral vision remains intact.
- Dry AMD - Eight out of ten people have dry AMD, also known as atrophic AMD. In this type of AMD, the macula gets thinner with age, and fat and protein bits called drusen accumulate below the retina and cause vision loss. It usually progresses slowly in three stages: early, intermediate, and advanced. The drusen's size increases as the disease stage goes on. In the advanced stages of the illness, the drusen prevents oxygen from reaching the retina.
- Wet AMD - This is also known as neovascular AMD because, in this type, abnormal blood vessels form underneath the retina. The blood and fluids from these vessels leak and damage the eyes. Wet AMD is less common but more serious, with every diagnosis being the advanced late stage. The vision loss in this type is faster.
Visual symptoms of AMD include blurred vision and blank spots as the disease progresses, blind spots in central vision, loss of central vision, the wavy appearance of straight lines, less bright colors, and difficulty recognizing known faces.
- Age - People aged 55 years or older are at a higher risk of getting AMD.
- Weight - Obesity is closely linked to an increased risk of AMD.
- Ethnicity - Caucasians are at the highest risk of developing AMD and have greater odds of going blind.
- Gender - 2 out of 3 people developing AMD are women, and 1 is men.
- Family history of AMD
- Smoking - The risk of developing AMD increases up to 4 times in smokers compared to non-smokers.
- Increased blood pressure - decreases the amount of oxygen reaching the eyes and leads to AMD.
- A history of cardiac diseases such as angina, heart attack, or stroke increases the chances of developing AMD by almost one and a half times.
- Dietary habits - People who consume diets rich in saturated fats and alcohol are more prone to develop AMD.
- History of cataract surgery
- AMD in one eye
- Visual field test using Answer grid
- Comprehensive dilated eye exam - The dilating eye drops dilate the pupils and assist the doctor in better examining the eyes.
- Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) - An imaging machine scans the retina and records detailed images.
- Fluorescein angiography - A yellow-colored fluorescent dye is injected into the vein in the arm. Images are shot as the dye travels into the blood vessels in the eyes and detects any leakage.
- Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography (OCTA) - This technique uses a laser to produce a three-dimensional image of the blood vessels in the eyes.
The treatment for AMD depends on the type and stage of the disease.
- Early dry AMD - The doctor will keep track of the progression and advise you to change your lifestyle, such as following a healthy diet and a regular exercise regime and quitting harmful habits such as smoking and drinking.
- Intermediate AMD - Dietary supplements such as Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Lutein, Zinc, Copper, Zeaxanthin, and beta-carotene help thwart the progression of the disease.
- Late dry AMD - There is currently no treatment available for this type.
- Wet AMD - Some treatment options available for this type are anti-VEGF drugs and Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) -
- Anti-VEGF (Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor) drugs are injected into the eyes to help slow the development of new blood vessels.
- Photodynamic therapy - A combination of light-sensitive drugs and laser destroys the unwanted blood vessels developing in the eyes.
Sometimes, AMD treatment can lead to several side effects, such as infection in the eyes, detachment of the retina, severe loss of vision, fastened progression of cataracts, and permanent damage to the eye structure.
Complications of AMD
Visual impairment following AMD often presents challenges in recognizing faces, reading, driving, cooking, and performing chores around the house. Some people also end up with anxiety and depression. In some rare cases, they develop Charles Bonnet syndrome, which leads to visual hallucinations.
Can eye exams detect other health problems in the body?
An eye exam by an ophthalmologist or optometrist involves a variety of tests and procedures that help detect eye diseases and underlying severe health conditions. A detailed test of the retina, optic nerve, and lens can reveal issues like hypertension and diabetes before their symptoms start showing. The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) suggests adults get a complete eye exam when they turn 40.
Here are some conditions that can be detected via an eye exam:
- Myasthenia Gravis (MG): An autoimmune disorder, this condition leads to muscle fatigue and weakness throughout the day. MG typically affects the voluntary muscles of the body. Smaller muscles in the body, such as eye muscles, tend to get affected first. Larger muscles are impacted when the disease progresses. Ocular myasthenia gravis affects the eyes—most patients with ocular myasthenia often present with systemic MG symptoms within two years. The most common presenting symptoms of ocular MG include ptosis (drooping eyelids) and double vision. These symptoms may worsen throughout the day.
- Sexually transmitted infections: STIs such as herpes, pubic lice, gonorrhea, venereal warts, and syphilis can affect the eyes. The herpes simplex virus (HSV) can show up anywhere on the body, leading to a severe eye infection or even blindness. Other symptoms of STIs that can show up in a routine eye exam are pink eye, inflammation of the conjunctiva or cornea, skin-colored bumps, and warts on the eyelids.
- Cancers of the blood, tissue, or skin: A detailed eye exam can detect many cancers. Skin cancers like basal cells, squamous, and melanoma can affect the eyes' eyelids and other outer surfaces. Further, both acute and chronic forms of leukemia can manifest in the eyes. Symptoms in the eyes may also be the first indication of relapse or worsening of the condition. Only eye exams can reveal retinal hemorrhages like Roth spots, which can be indicative of leukemia, endocarditis, and diabetes.
- Brain tumors: Some brain tumors can be spotted by ophthalmologists during an eye test before noticeable symptoms occur. Tumors may cause an increase in pressure on the eye, which can result in blindness. Vision loss is gradual for many individuals, beginning with blurry, double vision or an increasing blind spot. As the tumor grows, it will compress the optic nerve and lead to more significant vision loss.
How can one maintain good eye health?
Our eyesight is one of the most precious things in our life. Our vision can quickly suffer without adequate eye care, leading to various ailments and diseases. Experts recommend visiting an ophthalmologist near you for frequent eye checkups to maintain healthy eyesight. Thus, it is essential to take some simple steps to maintain eye health and ensure your eyes stay in good condition.
Eat healthy foods
- Most people know the importance of eating nutritious foods for their overall health, but are you aware that your diet can also affect the health of your eyes? Here are some ways you can incorporate eye-friendly foods into your diet -
- Eat various leafy green vegetables like spinach and kale. These vegetables are packed with nutrients like zeaxanthin and lutein, which have been shown to help guard eyes against cataracts and age-related macular degeneration.
- Add fish to your diet chart at least twice or thrice a week. Fish such as tuna, salmon, and sardines contain omega-3 fatty acids, which can lower the chances of dry eye syndrome.
- Incorporate fruits and vegetables high in vitamin C into your diet. Vitamin C is a crucial antioxidant that safeguards your eyes against damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals have been linked to several eye problems, including cataracts and age-related macular degeneration. Some good vitamin C sources include oranges, grapefruit, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts.
Exercise regularly
Exercise is yet another essential strategy to enhance eye health. It helps enhance blood circulation and reduces stress. It also aids in keeping your eyes healthy and functioning correctly. Here are a few suggestions you can consider when exercising for better eye health:
- Ensure you warm and cool down properly to prevent eye strain or injury.
- If you like exercising outdoors, avoid excessive amounts of sun exposure. Too much sun can damage your eyes and lead to problems such as cataracts or macular degeneration.
- Take breaks often and frequently blink while exercising. It will help keep your eyes lubricated and prevent them from drying out.
- If you wear contacts, clean them before and after exercising. It will help avoid any infection or irritation that could occur.
By following the above-given advice, you can rest assured that you are doing everything possible to maintain good eye health.
Searching for the best ophthalmologist near you in Denver, CO
The initial stages of AMD never present with distinct symptoms, thus delaying early diagnosis and timely treatment. Eye changes are only discovered during routine eye checkups. Therefore, it is imperative for adults over 50 and those with risk factors related to AMD to get frequent eye checkups. Zocdoc's elaborate database can speed up finding an ophthalmologist who fits your needs.
This innovative platform allows you to filter thousands of providers based on their specialties and practice areas. You can find the best practitioners near your home by filling out a few search boxes. To help you find the best healthcare, Zocdoc provides an elaborate background of all providers, including their educational qualifications, certifications, work experience, and awards.
You can manually select your health plan on the Zocdoc website to book an appointment with an in-network ophthalmologist. If you need help finding your particular plan, you can consider uploading a photo of your insurance card and letting Zocdoc scan the image to show you your likely plan. Note that this service is available only for medical insurance cards. Dental or vision insurance cards are excluded. If you need assistance uploading your medical insurance card, contact Zocdoc's dedicated service team, available 365 days a year, to help you solve any issues or queries regarding the platform. You may also access Zocdoc's patient help center for more insurance-related information.
All bookings on Zocdoc are fast, free, and secure. Finding the best ophthalmologist near you could never be easier!
Ophthalmologists and AMD statistics in Denver, Colorado
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were about 230 ophthalmologists practicing in the state, with a location quotient of around 1.06 as of May 2021. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention state that more than 100,000 people in the state report blindness or severe difficulty seeing, even with glasses. Coloradans reporting severe vision impairment were more likely to have diabetes (12%), arthritis (41%), and mobility issues (41%).
According to Prevent Blindness, a volunteer eye health and safety organization in the United States, the prevalence rate of AMD in the population of 50 years and older in Colorado is very close to the national average of nearly 2.1% and stands at about 1.9%.
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