Ophthalmology
An ophthalmologist, is a medical doctor who specializes in eye and vision care, and is specially trained to provide a full spectrum of eye care, from prescribing glasses and contact lenses to complex and delicate eye surgery. Many ophthalmologists are also involved in scientific research into the causes and cures for eye diseases and vision problems. 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, they receive special training in all aspects of eye care, including prevention, diagnosis and medical and surgical treatment of eye conditions and diseases. Often, an ophthalmologist spends an additional one to two years training in a sub-specialty, that is, a specific area of eye care (i.e., glaucoma or pediatric ophthalmology).
Sub-specialties of Ophthalmology
Cornea and External Disease: This sub-specialty involves the diagnosis and management of diseases of the cornea, sclera, conjunctiva and eyelids, including corneal dystrophies, microbial infections, conjunctival and corneal tumors, inflammatory processes and anterior ocular manifestations of systemic diseases. Training in this area frequently includes corneal transplant surgery and corneal surgery to correct refractive errors.
Glaucoma: This sub-specialty includes the treatment of glaucoma and other disorders that may cause optic nerve damage by increasing intraocular pressure. This area involves the medical and surgical treatment of both pediatric and adult patients.
Neuro-Ophthalmology: Involving the relationship between neurological and ophthalmic diseases, neuro-ophthalmology also deals with local pathology affecting the optic nerve and visual pathways. Over 50 percent of all intracranial lesions involve the visual or oculomotor pathways. Neuro-ophthalmology is generally practiced as a nonsurgical sub specialty but can be combined with surgery of the eye and orbit.
Ophthalmic Pathology: The ophthalmic pathologist has training in both ophthalmology and pathology, typically in that order. Because of the unique combination of skills involved in this sub specialty, it is usually the ophthalmic pathologist, rather than the general pathologist, who examines tissue specimens from the eye and adnexa.
Ophthalmic Plastic Surgery: The practice of ophthalmic plastic surgery includes orbital surgery, lid and upper facial reconstructive procedures following trauma and tumors and cosmetic lid surgery. Oculoplastic surgeons combine ophthalmic surgery with plastic surgery and are trained in the use of radiotherapy, chemotherapy and chemo-surgery to treat ocular and orbital disease.
Pediatric Ophthalmology: The bulk of pediatric ophthalmic practice involves the medical and surgical management of strabismus, amblyopia, genetic and developmental abnormalities and a wide range of inflammatory, traumatic and neoplastic conditions occurring in the first two decades of life. This sub-specialty also deals with the ocular manifestations of certain systemic disorders.
Vitreoretinal Diseases: This sub specialty involves both the medical and surgical treatment of retinal and vitreoretinal disease. The types of diseases treated include manifestations of local, systemic and genetic diseases as they affect the retina and vitreous. Diagnosis involves the use and interpretation of ultrasound, fluorescent angiography and electrophysiology. Treatment methods include laser therapy, cryotherapy, retinal detachment surgery and vitrectomy (removal of the vitreous).
Featured Surgeon
When you travel to Costa Rica for eye care, you will be under the expert care of Dr. Franklin Rechnitzer, who specializes on opthalmic surgery. Dr. Rechnitzer has been a member in good-standing of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery since 2004, where he is board certified.
He is a specialist in Lasik surgery, ophthalmic ultrasound procedures, Verisize, and Conductive Keratoplasty, among others. Dr. Rechnitzer is the first surgeon to have performed a corneal ring implant for keratoconus treatment in Costa Rica.
Sub-specialties of Ophthalmology
Cornea and External Disease: This sub-specialty involves the diagnosis and management of diseases of the cornea, sclera, conjunctiva and eyelids, including corneal dystrophies, microbial infections, conjunctival and corneal tumors, inflammatory processes and anterior ocular manifestations of systemic diseases. Training in this area frequently includes corneal transplant surgery and corneal surgery to correct refractive errors.
Glaucoma: This sub-specialty includes the treatment of glaucoma and other disorders that may cause optic nerve damage by increasing intraocular pressure. This area involves the medical and surgical treatment of both pediatric and adult patients.
Neuro-Ophthalmology: Involving the relationship between neurological and ophthalmic diseases, neuro-ophthalmology also deals with local pathology affecting the optic nerve and visual pathways. Over 50 percent of all intracranial lesions involve the visual or oculomotor pathways. Neuro-ophthalmology is generally practiced as a nonsurgical sub specialty but can be combined with surgery of the eye and orbit.
Ophthalmic Pathology: The ophthalmic pathologist has training in both ophthalmology and pathology, typically in that order. Because of the unique combination of skills involved in this sub specialty, it is usually the ophthalmic pathologist, rather than the general pathologist, who examines tissue specimens from the eye and adnexa.
Ophthalmic Plastic Surgery: The practice of ophthalmic plastic surgery includes orbital surgery, lid and upper facial reconstructive procedures following trauma and tumors and cosmetic lid surgery. Oculoplastic surgeons combine ophthalmic surgery with plastic surgery and are trained in the use of radiotherapy, chemotherapy and chemo-surgery to treat ocular and orbital disease.
Pediatric Ophthalmology: The bulk of pediatric ophthalmic practice involves the medical and surgical management of strabismus, amblyopia, genetic and developmental abnormalities and a wide range of inflammatory, traumatic and neoplastic conditions occurring in the first two decades of life. This sub-specialty also deals with the ocular manifestations of certain systemic disorders.
Vitreoretinal Diseases: This sub specialty involves both the medical and surgical treatment of retinal and vitreoretinal disease. The types of diseases treated include manifestations of local, systemic and genetic diseases as they affect the retina and vitreous. Diagnosis involves the use and interpretation of ultrasound, fluorescent angiography and electrophysiology. Treatment methods include laser therapy, cryotherapy, retinal detachment surgery and vitrectomy (removal of the vitreous).
Featured Surgeon
When you travel to Costa Rica for eye care, you will be under the expert care of Dr. Franklin Rechnitzer, who specializes on opthalmic surgery. Dr. Rechnitzer has been a member in good-standing of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery since 2004, where he is board certified.
He is a specialist in Lasik surgery, ophthalmic ultrasound procedures, Verisize, and Conductive Keratoplasty, among others. Dr. Rechnitzer is the first surgeon to have performed a corneal ring implant for keratoconus treatment in Costa Rica.