Eye Surgeon Consultations

Surgical procedures aren’t always the first choice when treating eye conditions. This is because the eye is a volatile organ that is highly susceptible to injury and although technologies today have never been better, surgery doesn’t always assure that all eye conditions can be corrected. However, it promises much better outcomes when compared to other options such as prescription glasses. Also, just like in other types of surgeries, there are risks involved, which can range from minor to major problems that may be irreversible or irreparable.

In cases when surgery is a viable or the primary option, a patient sees an ophthalmologist with a fellowship or additional years of training in surgery and who specializes in the patient’s specific eye problems. Ophthalmologists can focus on retina, cornea or age-related conditions like macular degeneration or glaucoma.

Surgery is one of the major differences between optometrists and ophthalmologists. While the former can also treat and manage different eye conditions, more complex ones that require surgery are handled by ophthalmologists who have adequate training, education and expertise in surgery. Nevertheless, both of them can work together to promote better eye health for the patient.

Who Should Undergo and Expected Results

Eye surgery consultation is performed upon the recommendation of a general ophthalmologist. It could be for the following reasons:

• The initial treatments, which may include wearing prescription glasses or contact lenses, are no longer working.
• The eye condition has already progressed, rendering eye devices less effective.
• The eye problem can only be corrected through surgery
• The patient prefers to undergo surgery over non-surgical options to get better results
• The consultation can also be carried out to correct an error that resulted from previous surgery.