Dr. James M. Jochum - What Is Ophthalmology?
Dr. James Jochum is an ophthalmologist practicing in Orange City, FL. Dr. Jochum specializes in eye and vision care. As an ophthalmologist, Dr. Jochum can practice medicine as well as surgery. Opthalmologists can perform surgeries because they have their medical degrees along with at least eight years of additional training.... more
What is Ophthalmology?
Ophthalmology is the study of medical conditions relating to the eye. Ophthalmologists specialize in diagnosing and treating eye-related conditions. They typically treat diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, and retinal detachment.
Diabetic Retinopathy. People with diabetes can develop an eye disease called diabetic retinopathy. This is when high blood sugar levels cause damage to blood vessels in the retina. Nearly 100 percent of patients with Type I diabetes and more than 60 percent of those with Type II have signs of diabetic retinopathy after 20 years. Many patients are helped by vitrectomy surgery.
Macular Degeneration. Macular degeneration is the primary cause of vision loss, affecting more than 10 million Americans. It is caused by the deterioration of the central portion of the retina, the inside back layer of the eye that records the images we see and sends them from the eye to the brain. There is no known cure for macular degeneration, but lifestyle changes like exercising, avoiding smoking, and wearing sunglasses can help your eyes.
Retinal Detachment. Retinal detachment is a serious eye condition in which the retina stops receiving oxygen. The symptoms of retinal detachment include objects appearing to float across your eye, or a gray veil across your field of vision. If not treated quickly, a retinal detachment can cause you to lose your vision. Retinal detachment surgery is used to restore circulation to the retina and preserve vision.
