Ophthalmology is the specialty dedicated to the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of eye disorders.
The most common include myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism or presbyopia. These diseases originate from refractive issues, meaning the retina struggles to focus images.
Besides these pathologies, Ophthalmology deals with many other conditions, such as Conjunctivitis.
Strabismus, another of the pathologies treated in Ophthalmology, is the alteration of the ocular alignment, which causes the eyes to deviate inwards, outwards or upwards. Cataracts, another common disease, results from a degenerative process affecting transparency and elasticity of the crystalline lens, located behind the iris, the coloured part of the eye. Cataracts are more common with aging but can affect people in every age group.
Finally, glaucoma is a common eye disorder resulting from increased intraocular pressure. It may cause vision loss as it harms the optic nerve, a structure responsible for conducting images from the retina to the brain.
Children should consult an ophthalmologist from the age of 3, especially if one of their parents suffers from an eye disease, or before enrolling in primary school. Healthy adults should have at least one ophthalmological examination between the ages of 20 and 40, provided there are no earlier symptoms. After 40, eye exams should be performed every two years. People with diabetes, neurological, oncological and circulatory diseases should pay special attention to any symptoms associated with the quality of their eyesight.
Joaquim Chaves Saúde features an experienced team of ophthalmologist to diagnose and treat eye conditions, supported by the most recent means of diagnosis.
