Is your general ophthalmologist managing your retina problems or are you seeing a retina specialist?
General ophthalmologists are medical doctors who specialize in eye and vision care. They are trained to diagnose and treat all eye diseases. And while general ophthalmologists can treat some retina conditions… they aren’t specialists.
Retina specialists, in addition to general ophthalmology, undergo intensive training that focuses on a subspecialized area of eye and vision care. Retina specialists are ophthalmologists that have completed training (including a one or two year fellowship) after their three year ophthalmology residency to specialize in diseases and conditions related to the vitreous and retina.
Think about it like this….while their general ophthalmologist classmates graduate and start practicing medicine, a retina specialist spends an additional two years focusing their training on just one vital part of the anatomy of the eye, the retina.
Most retina specialists focus their practice solely on the diagnosis and treatment of retinal conditions and diseases. They typically see patients who have been referred by a general ophthalmologist or optometrist who has identified a potentially serious disease involving the retina or vitreous gel. Retina specialists are trained and skilled in using advanced tools and equipment to diagnose retinal problems. They also stay on top of the latest non-surgical and surgical methods for treatment.
So now that you know the difference between a retina specialist and a general ophthalmologist, the choice to see a retina specialist just got easier. But how do you know if your ophthalmologist is a specialist? Read their bios online and ASK! If they completed a fellowship training in Vitreo-Retinal diseases, it will say. But if you are local to our area… we have made it easy for you to know.
We have Lynchburg’s only Retina Team
Our specialists are uniquely qualified in diagnosing and treating problems that affect the back of the eye, including diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, and retinal detachment.
Why travel further or wait longer to see a retina specialist? We have you covered at Piedmont Eye Center. Call to schedule your appointment today and see why more patients are choosing Piedmont Eye Center.
