Choosing an eye doctor is as much of a challenge as selecting an expert general physician. The kind of eye doctor to consult depends on the overall health of eyes of the patient.
One may have to consult ophthalmologist Epping if one has complex vision problems and eye diseases. For basic care, one needs to consult only an optometrist. Further down, an optician can help one with corrective glasses or contact lenses. Finding the Right Doctor The patient must choose an eye specialist having the right training in his specific eye condition. Before consulting with a doctor, one must ascertain his experience and credentials. You need to ensure they provide the right services. Optometrists and ophthalmologist will usually not hesitate to provide proof of licenses and certificates on patients’ request. Another important factor is the experience. In case of complicated conditions or ailments of the eye, one needs to consult a highly experienced optometrist or ophthalmologist. Services of eye doctors also depend on referrals from old patients. Enquire from friends and family about their experiences with eye doctors in the locality. For instance, enquire about Northern Eye Centre from the locals of Melbourne. How to Find Eye Doctor 1) Talk to primary doctors/ paediatricians They will possess the right knowledge of the best eye doctors in your area. They will know which eye doctor fits the needs of the patient or her children. 2) Ask co-workers, friends and family Consider all who wear glasses- they will surely know the right eye doctors. Enquire about them. 3) Ascertain with professional organizations Professional organizations feature databases about eye doctors, and one can access these through their websites. Questions To Ask Former Patients Treatments of eye conditions such as cataract surgery are quite common. But to ensure you get the best doctor, you can ask the following questions to former patients: 1) Were the surgeon and his team of staff courteous and friendly throughout the procedure? 2) Where they upfront about fees and charges? 3) Did the doctor take pains to discuss treatment options with you and explain the consequences in clear terms? 4) Was the patient informed about all options of treatment? 5) Did the procedure have successful outcomes and if not, why? 6) Did the doctor offer good follow-up care? Thus you can narrow down your choice based on such questions asked. Questions To Ask After Appointment After the patient has consulted the eye doctor, he must evaluate the doctor by asking the following questions: 1) Did one have to wait for a long time? Enquire from office staff about the average length of time before being seen by the doctor. 2) Was one satisfied with consultation? It is not a good sign if one felt rushed by the doctor. 3) Did the doctor communicate well? Did he listen to the patient’s questions and provide clear answers? 4) Was the patient comfortable? This is crucial. In case patients do not vibe well with the doctor, it is not good for his health and treatment. In case you looking for the services of ophthalmologist Epping, take your case to the Northern Eye Centre. It has been serving the northern suburbs of Melbourne since 1991 and specializes in cataract surgery as well as ailments of the retina.
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If a person is over the age of 60, and things start to look hazy, he or she might be developing a cataract in the eyes. In simple terms, it is a condition in which the lens of the eyes is clouding over. This condition affects mostly those over, 60 but anyone can suffer. Also, cataract can develop in both eyes. Some cataracts can be treated with a contact lens or eyeglasses, but some require surgery. What is cataract? Normally, the lens of the eye is clear. It allows light to pass through to the back of the eye for normal vision. However, with cataract, the eye lens becomes cloudy. Vision becomes hazy like looking through a smudged window. In advanced cases, a grey or whitish film may be seen over the eye when looking in a mirror. Symptoms Cataracts typically form slowly. The patient may be unaware of the condition until it begins to block light. You might notice:
Diagnosis The experienced cataract surgeon Melbourne will administer an eye exam to test how well the patient can see. Also, he will dilate pupils of the eyes to check the lens and other parts of the eyes. The patient must take care to bring his eyeglasses or contact lenses to the doctor for the eye exam. Procedure In cataract surgery, like those conducted at Northern Eye Centre in Melbourne, the lens inside your eyes, which has become cloudy, is removed and replaced with an artificial lens. This lens is called an Intra Ocular Lens or IOL and helps to restore clear vision. This surgical procedure is usually performed on an out-patient basis and does not need an overnight stay in a hospital or any other care facility. Majority of modern cataract procedures consist of the use of a high-frequency ultrasound device which breaks up the cloudy lens into small pieces. These pieces are gently removed from the eye with suction. This procedure called Phaco or Phacoemulsification can be performed with smaller incisions compared to older cataract surgery. It promotes faster healing and reduces the risk of complications from cataract surgery like retinal detachment. After all the remnants of the cloudy eyes have been removed from the eyes, the surgeon inserts a clear IOL or Intra Ocular Lens. The lens is positioned securely behind the pupil and the iris, which is the same location occupied by the natural lens. The surgeon completes the cataract removal and implantation procedure by closing the incision in the eye (might require a stitch), and a protective shield is placed over the eye to keep the eye safe in the early stages after surgery. After Surgery The eye may feel sore or itch a few days after surgery. The experienced cataract surgeon Melbourne may recommend eye drops to keep infection at bay. Driving must be avoided in the first few weeks after surgery as well as lifting heavy objects or any other activity, which puts pressure on the eyes. Consult Northern Eye Centre for top class cataract treatment. Dr. Saf Bassili is a highly qualified and experienced ophthalmologist Melbourne. He holds degrees like D.O. (UK), M. B. Ch. B (Honours), F.R.C.S. (UK), FRANZCO (Australia), L. M.S.S.A (UK) and USMLE (USA). He has been trained and undertaken clinical trials in the UK, Australia and USA. He has held positions in Southampton Eye Hospital (UK), Moorfields Eye Hospital (London), Royal Victorian Eye and Ear (Melbourne), Austin Hospital (Melbourne) and Louisiana Hospital (USA). Dr. Bassili is a fellow of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists, the Australia and New Zealand Society of Retina Specialists and the American Society of Retina Specialists. Dr. Bassili set up his private practice in Melbourne (Australia) in 1991. He serves the public through the Northern Eye Centre. He is an expert in treating a wide range of eye diseases like vitreoretinal surgery, cataract surgery, medical retina treatment (like diabetic retinopathy and Age-related Macular Degeneration). He visits major hospitals in Melbourne and regional Victoria like Mildura and Swan Hill. He provides honest and genuine advice, considering general well-being, quality of life and requirements of each and every patient. The clinic Northern Eye Centre offers many useful services to patients. These include consultations, investigations, medical retina, cataract surgery, glaucoma treatment, vitreo-retinal surgery, external eye disease and minor procedures. Services offered by Dr. Bassili make him as one of the best ophthalmologists Melbourne. In the consultation service, the procedure involves orthoptist assessment, ophthalmologist examination, diagnosis and treatment, correspondence by clinic and provision of patient consent. An Orthoptist is a highly qualified, university trained professional who helps the eye doctor (ophthalmologist) to diagnose and evaluate eye conditions. At Dr. Bassili’s eye clinic, consultation begins with an examination by orthoptist. Initial discussions will be undertaken about the reason of the patient's visit, his general medical history, his complaints, family history, allergies and current medication. Next, visual acuity will be tested followed by measuring of eye pressure. More tests may be undertaken based on the patient's case. These may include OCT test and Visual Field Test to measure optic nerve and retina and to take photographs of different parts of the eye. Most likely, the patient will receive eye drops to dilate his eyes for the sake of conducting the tests. He will stay in the waiting room for drops to take effect. He may experience blurring of eyes after 10 minutes. Next step of consultation is the examination by an ophthalmologist. This eye doctor will conduct a complete examination of all parts of the eye. For this, he will use a magnifying instrument called the “Slit Lamp”, which permits comprehensive exam of the anterior (front) and posterior (back) parts of the eye. After concluding the exam, your eye doctor will arrive at a diagnosis. He will discuss treatment options. These may include using drops, undergoing procedures like surgery, injections or laser. A diagnosis may not be possible on the first visit, and further consultations may be advised. Next, the ophthalmologist (like Dr. Bassili) will send a letter to the optometrist or referring doctor communicating their findings and plan of action. The patient will be well informed about his condition. Treatment options will be discussed with the patient and taken up with only his consent. Macular degeneration related to age is the main cause of loss of vision in persons over the age of 50 in the United States. It refers to damage to the part of the eye called as ‘macula’. The part called as macula is a tiny, but crucial area located at the centre of the retina. The retina is a tissue that senses light and lines the back of the eye. The macula enables your ability to spot fine details in a clear way. You rely on your macula while driving, reading or performing any other activity which needs precise details like threading needles. Any person suffering from age related macular degeneration (AMD) loses the ability to view fine details both at a distance and up close. Such a loss of detailed vision impacts only your central vision. The peripheral or central vision typically stays normal. For instance, a person may be able to perceive the shape of a clock, but may not be able to tell the time. Types AMD is of two types. Majority of persons (90%) suffer from Dry AMD, which develops when macula tissues become thin with age. The condition of Dry AMD leads to a slow loss of vision. A smaller (10%) number of persons suffer from more serious Wet AMD. This occurs when abnormal blood vessels emerge under the retina. These harmful vessels leak fluid and blood that may scar the macula. There might be a rapid loss of vision. Treatment There are several treatments for AMD. Based on your case, medications, vitamins, surgery, etc. may be considered.
Doctors consider that vitamin supplements may slow down mild or dry AMD. Studies have also found that consuming high levels of zinc and anti-oxidants lowered the risk of wet AMD by 25%. The doses and supplements must be decided by your ophthalmologist.
As per some studies, a protein called as Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) may have a role in blood vessel overgrowth in the eye. Anti- VEGF medicines have proved to be effective in avoiding the spread of fragile blood vessels, which can leak and cause further damage to the macula. Medicines include Lucentis, Avastin and Eylea. These are administered as injections in the eye accompanied by a local anaesthetic. In case the problem has not subsided, the procedure must be repeated.
There are many therapeutic and surgical procedures to treat AMD. Your eye doctor will examine your condition in detail and determine which procedure suits your case.
This procedure uses targeted laser beams to prevent the spread of fragile blood vessels in the eye. This is typically conducted in an out-patient setting, and its impact can last for many years. Having said that, repeat of procedure might be needed in some cases.
This treatment usually for out-patients consists of an intravenous injection of medicines which cause the constriction of blood vessels in the eye, so as to prevent leaking. You may have a local anaesthesia and stay awake during the procedure.
They have been used for many conditions. In the case of AMD, there is an implantation of the device behind the iris of the eye. Such an implant works by a magnifying central vision and sending images to healthy portions of the retina. Alternative treatments; You may consider alternative treatments like:
These are all some treatments for the harmful condition called as AMD. Your eyes are a beautiful gift from God, and your eyesight is a real asset. It is very important to take care of your eyes so that you can see the beauty of the world. In this post, I am going to list out the different types of eye diseases, which people face in their lives.
Cataract Cataract is a condition when the lens of eyes becomes cloudy or milky white. Cataract is most commonly seen in people who are above the age of 40 or 50. But now the things are changing, and even younger people are suffering from cataract. It can happen due to exposure to UV rays, protein deterioration, or injury. This may result in severe vision loss. Diabetic Retinopathy This happens when you are suffering from type-1 or type-2 diabetes for a long time without any treatment. Due to high blood pressure, the blood vessels get pressurized and prevent the retina from receiving proper nutrition. This may lead to vision loss in the future. So, it’s necessary to maintain the blood sugar levels and make sure that there aren’t too many fluctuations. Keratoconus The normal shape of the cornea is like a dome. But sometimes, the collagen which holds the cornea together becomes weak. This affects the shape of cornea and changes from the dome to a cone shape. This is known as keratoconus. This disease should be treated immediately otherwise people have to undergo a cornea transplant. Refractive errors Refractive error is a very common problem faced by people. When light passes through cornea and lens then, refraction occurs. The error in refraction may be due to the changes in length, the shape of the cornea, age, and so on. To rectify this error people can wear glasses, lenses or undergo surgery. Glaucoma Glaucoma is a disease which damages the optic nerve and weakens the nerve over time. Usually, this is an inherited disease and doesn’t show immediately. Due to increased intraocular pressure, the optic nerve starts weakening and gets damaged. Optic nerve’s function is to transmit the images to the brain. If this nerve becomes weak, then there are chances that a person suffering from glaucoma will lose their vision permanently. There are no early symptoms of this disease, and hence, it’s better to check your eyes periodically for any kind of minor changes. Presbyopia This is a condition where a person cannot see the objects clearly, which are close and read small prints. This is due to the natural aging process of the eye. With age, the eye loses its flexibility, and hence, cannot see things clearly. People can use a corrective lens or undergo surgeries to treat this condition. These are some of the common diseases related to the eye. Most of the diseases are treatable at an early stage. For this, you need a really good eye specialist. The best eye specialist in Melbourne is known to have good expertise and can treat all kinds of eye diseases. The specialists in Melbourne have immense knowledge and better equipment to provide world-class treatment. |
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