Ophthalmologists, More than Just Prescribing Glasses

By Nisha R. Patel, MD

Often, patients come to the ophthalmologist for a prescription for glasses or contacts, and are surprised to discover that he or she may offer many additional services.
Ophthalmologists address medical issues affecting the eyes such as dry eye, glaucoma, cataracts, diabetes and eye allergies to name a few, but they can also address your cosmetic needs. Your ophthalmologist may be able to help you get out of glasses for both for distance and reading with new surgical innovations such as laser vision correction and cataract surgery with the new “bifocal” lens implants or monovision. She can also help patients who have chronic red eyes by diagnosing and treating the underlying condition.
There are many anti-aging services that an ophthalmologist can offer such as improving the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles with Botox and dermal fillers, or eyelid enhancement surgery to improve the appearance of aging, droopy eyelids. Botox is also used in many patients for functional reasons such as to control a condition known as blepharospasm, in which the eyelids are constantly closing involuntarily.
Blepharoplasty can also be a functional surgery if a patient has a decreased ability to see in up-gaze. Whatever your cosmetic or medical needs are, check with your ophthalmologist to see if he or she offers these services, you may walk out looking and feeling 20 years younger.