Ophthalmology
Ophthalmology is a specialty of medicine that deals with the anatomy, physiology, and diseases that may affect the eye. Ophthalmologists perform operations on eyes and are considered both surgical and medical specialists. One of the most common surgeries we perform at Ormiston Hospital is cataract surgery.
At Ormiston Hospital, our ophthalmologists provide high quality care in diagnosing and treating a range of eye problems. During your private ophthalmology consultation, our specialists work with you to diagnose your condition and provide expert advice on treatment options to support you in making informed decisions about your care.
Our range of available procedures include:
Cataract Surgery
A cataract is a cloudiness of the lens in your eye due to aging, disease, or trauma that typically prevents light from forming a clear image on the retina. If you experience significant vision loss due to cataracts, the lens may be surgically removed and replaced with a plastic intraocular lens (IOL). Cataract surgery is typically a quick and painless procedure. Cataract surgery is usually recommended where a cataract causes blurry vision or when it interferes with the treatment of another eye problem, such as age-related macular degeneration or diabetic neuropathy.
Corneal Transplantation (corneal grafting)
A corneal transplant is a surgical procedure where a donor’s corneal tissue is used to replace the diseased or damaged cornea. This procedure is used to improve vision and reduce pain. When the entire cornea is replaced, it is called a penetrating keratoplasty and if a part of the cornea is replaced, it is called a lamellar keratoplasty. Corneal transplantation is used to treat conditions like keratoconus and Fuch’s dystrophy.
Keratoconus
Keratoconus is a condition in which the clear, dome-shaped tissue that covers the eye (the cornea) bulges outward into a cone shape. This condition causes blurred vision and sensitivity to light and glare. The treatment for keratoconus ranges from glasses or contact lenses to a cornea transplant.
Oculoplastic Surgery
Oculoplastic surgery includes a wide variety of surgical procedures that involves the eyelids, tear ducts, orbit (eye socket), and the face. Most common oculoplastic procedures are blepharoplasty (removal of excess skin from the eyelids) and brow lift.
Pterygium Surgery (Surfer’s Eye)
Pterygium surgery is an out-patient procedure that involves removing abnormal tissue (non-cancerous conjunctiva growths) from the eye. Since it is an out-patient procedure, a topical or local anaesthesia is used. This surgery typically takes 30 to 40 minutes for one eye.
Other conditions
Other conditions that our specialists may help with may include retinal problems and myopia.
Need to know
Consult an ophthalmologist if you experience any of the following:
- Blurry vision
- Blocked or double vision
- Reduced vision
- Misaligned eyes
- Eye redness
- Seeing halos around lights or coloured circles
- Severe eye pain
- Eye injury
- Sudden vision changes or loss
- Other factors or medical conditions that can increase the risk of eye problems are diabetes, high blood pressure, HIV, family history of eye problems, and thyroid conditions such as Grave’s disease.
During your private consultation with one of our ophthalmologists, they may ask a few questions about your current health condition and medical history. They will also examine your eye physically. They will explain the benefits and the risks associated with the procedure that you will undergo. They will also give you a detailed insight into how the procedure is performed. If you wish to go ahead with treatment, you can then work with the admissions team to arrange a date for the procedure.
To prepare for an eye surgery, it is important to follow your surgeon’s specific instructions, which typically include fasting for several hours before the procedure to ensure an empty stomach. It is also important to arrange for someone to drive you home post-surgery and to plan for a recovery period at home.
During eye surgery, the specific steps depend on the type of procedure being performed. Generally, you will be given anaesthesia — either local, where only the surgery area is numbed, or general, where you are asleep during the operation. Throughout the surgery, your vital signs are closely monitored for safety, and the surgical team ensures that the procedure is as smooth and efficient as possible.
After surgery, you will be taken to a recovery area where medical staff will monitor your vital signs and ensure you are recovering well from the anaesthesia. Your doctor will provide instructions and medication to help manage pain and advice on when you can resume normal activities. There will also be one or more follow-up appointments so your doctor can monitor your healing process.
Specialist Surgeons
