FACTS ABOUT EYE DISEASES AND DISORDERS
Did you know:
Doctors of optometry are independent, primary eye care providers who examine, diagnose, treat
and manage diseases and disorders of the visual system. Optometrists may also diagnose
related medical problems, including systemic diseases such as hypertension and diabetes.
Doctors of optometry treat eye diseases and disorders including:
Diabetic Eye Disease: When a patient has diabetes, the optometrist periodically examines the
retina to determine if, or how, diabetes is affecting the eye. If treatment becomes necessary, the
optometrist will set a consultation with a retinal specialist to explore retinal treatment options.
After the treatment, the optometrist will again manage the care of the patient.
Cataracts: If a patient has cataracts, the optometrist will monitor the patient’s condition until
cataract surgery becomes necessary. The optometrist will then schedule the patient’s procedure
with an eye surgeon. Following the surgery, the optometrist generally provides post-operative
care.
Macular Degeneration: As the U.S. population ages, macular degeneration is becoming a
common condition. The vast majority of macular degeneration cases are non-exudative, or the
“dry” form of the disease. Optometrists are trained to independently manage this form of the
disease. A small percentage of cases will progress to exudative, or the “wet” form of this
disease. The optometrist will schedule these patients for surgical therapy with a retinal
specialist. After treatment, the optometrist will again assume the post-operative care
management role for the patient.
Ocular Hypertension and Glaucoma: If a patient’s pressure inside the eye is higher than a
medically acceptable range (ocular hypertension), but the patient does not yet have signs of
optic nerve damage, the optometrist will periodically re-evaluate the patient’s condition. During
this evaluation, the optometrist will look for changes in the eye indicative of the early stages of
glaucoma. If a patient progresses to show optic nerve changes characteristic of glaucoma, the
optometrist will initiate treatment with topical medications. In some cases, the optometrist will
schedule the patient for glaucoma surgery with a glaucoma specialist. Following glaucoma
surgery, the optometrist will resume the management of the patient.
Eye Trauma and Acute Eye Infections: Corneal abrasions, chemical burns, foreign bodies on
the surface of the eye or eyelids, thermal burns, conjunctivitis and inflammation of the iris are
some of the many conditions that optometrists treat in their offices every day.
Ph. 410-727-7800  www.marylandeyes.org