What is an Ophthalmology Subspecialist?
September 21, 2004
Because Wolfe Eye Clinic offers a broad range of subspecialty trained physicians, patients can make an appointment with specialist who best fits their eyecare needs.
An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor who specializes in medical and surgical eye care. In addition to four years of medical school and one year of internship, every ophthalmologist spends a minimum of three years of residency (hospital-based training) in ophthalmology. During residency, ophthalmologists receive special training in all aspects of eye care, including prevention, diagnosis and medical and surgical treatment of eye conditions and diseases.
During residency or later in their career, some ophthalmologists find a more narrow but in-depth focus of practice. These ophthalmologists spend an additional one to two years training in a subspecialty. A subspecialty is a very specific area of eye care like glaucoma or pediatric ophthalmology.
Wolfe Eye Clinic surgeons make up the only private multi-subspecialty group in Iowa that includes subspecialists in Pediatric & Adult Strabismus, Glaucoma, Retina, Cornea & Refractive, Cataract and Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery. Because Wolfe Eye Clinic offers a broad range of subspecialty trained physicians, patients can make an appointment with specialist who best fits their eyecare needs. Each subspecialist sees patients almost exclusively within their disease specialty area, allowing them to be very focused and deliver the best possible care specific to that patient’s needs. Subspecialists will often work as a team on very complex eye conditions.
Subspecialties offered at Wolfe Eye Clinic include:
Cornea and External Disease: This subspecialty involves the diagnosis and management of diseases of external surfaces of the eye including the cornea, sclera, conjunctiva and eyelids. Procedures include corneal transplants and surgery such as LASIK to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism.
Cataract and Refractive Surgery: This specialized area involves the diagnosis and management of conditions of the anterior (front) structures of the eye including the cornea and lens. Procedures include cataract surgery and surgery such as LASIK to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism.
Glaucoma: This subspecialty includes the treatment of glaucoma and other disorders that may cause optic nerve damage due to increasing intraocular pressure.
Plastic Surgery: The practice of ophthalmic plastic surgery includes orbital surgery, lid and upper facial reconstructive procedures and cosmetic lid surgery.
Pediatric Ophthalmology: Most of the pediatric ophthalmic practice involves the medical and surgical management of strabismus, amblyopia, genetic and developmental problems occurring in the first two decades of life. This subspecialty also treats adult strabismus.
Vitreoretinal Diseases: This subspecialty involves both the medical and surgical treatment of retinal and vitreoretinal disease. The types of diseases treated include age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy.