Ophthalmology

Ophthalmology is the branch of medicine that covers the diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of all diseases of the eye and the visual system. Many conditions such as cataracts, glaucoma, retinal diseases, refractive errors, eye infections, and lacrimal duct problems are evaluated within the field of ophthalmology. The Koru Hospital Ophthalmology Department provides comprehensive eye health services to its patients with state-of-the-art diagnostic and treatment devices and an experienced specialist staff.

The Importance of Eye Health

The sense of sight is one of the most fundamental senses in human life. We perceive approximately 80 percent of the information around us through our eyes. Early diagnosis and treatment of eye diseases are critical for preventing vision loss and maintaining quality of life. Ophthalmologists take on the responsibility of protecting and treating the eye health of individuals in every age group, from the neonatal period to advanced age.

According to World Health Organization data, approximately 2.2 billion people worldwide suffer from vision impairment, and a significant portion of these cases are preventable or treatable. Regular eye examinations allow many eye diseases to be detected at an early stage.

Cataracts

Cataract is a condition where the eye's lens loses its transparency and becomes cloudy. As the most common cause of preventable blindness in the world, cataracts usually occur with aging. However, they can also develop at earlier ages due to diabetes, trauma, long-term corticosteroid use, and congenital causes.

Symptoms of cataracts include:

• Gradual blurring and haziness of vision
• Colors appearing faded and dull
• Significant deterioration in night vision
• Seeing halos around light sources
• Frequent changes in eyeglass prescriptions
• Double vision (in a single eye)

Cataract surgery is one of the most frequently performed surgical procedures today. Using the phacoemulsification method, the cloudy lens is broken down and suctioned out using ultrasonic energy, and an artificial intraocular lens is implanted in its place. The surgery is usually completed in 15-20 minutes under local anesthesia, and patients can be discharged on the same day. Thanks to multifocal and trifocal lenses, patients can see at near, intermediate, and far distances without glasses after surgery.

Glaucoma (Eye Pressure)

Glaucoma is a serious eye disease characterized by damage to the optic nerve due to increased intraocular pressure and progressive loss of the visual field. Glaucoma, the most common cause of irreversible blindness in the world, is also called the "silent thief" because it usually does not show symptoms until the disease reaches advanced stages.

Risk factors for glaucoma include advanced age, a family history of glaucoma, high intraocular pressure, myopia, diabetes, hypertension, and long-term corticosteroid use. Regular eye examinations and eye pressure measurements are vital for the early diagnosis of glaucoma.

A staged approach is applied in the treatment of glaucoma:

• Medical treatment: Eye drops that lower intraocular pressure constitute the first step of treatment. Prostaglandin analogs, beta-blockers, alpha-agonists, and carbonic anhydrase inhibitors are the main drug groups used.
• Laser treatment: Selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) and laser iridotomy are laser methods applied in glaucoma treatment.
• Surgical treatment: Trabeculectomy, glaucoma drainage implants, and minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) are surgical methods applied in advanced-stage glaucoma.

Retinal Diseases

The retina is the nerve layer located at the back of the eye that detects light and transmits visual signals to the brain. Retinal diseases can lead to serious vision loss if left untreated.

Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)

Age-related macular degeneration is the most common cause of vision loss in individuals over 50 in developed countries. It occurs due to damage to the macula, the central region of the retina. There are two types: dry and wet. In wet AMD, abnormal blood vessel formation and leakage occur under the retina. The most effective method in treatment is the intravitreal injection of anti-VEGF drugs.

Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy is one of the most important complications caused by diabetes in the eye. High blood sugar damages retinal vessels, leading to bleeding, leakage, and the formation of new vessels. Regular fundus examinations for diabetic patients are of great importance for early diagnosis. Laser photocoagulation, anti-VEGF injections, and, in advanced cases, vitrectomy surgery are applied in treatment.

Retinal Detachment

Retinal detachment is the separation of the retina from the tissue beneath it. The main symptoms are floaters, flashes of light, and vision loss resembling a curtain in the visual field. In this condition, which requires emergency treatment, the retina is reattached using pneumatic retinopexy, scleral buckling, or vitrectomy methods. Early intervention significantly improves the visual prognosis.

Refractive Errors and Laser Treatment

Refractive errors are vision problems that occur when the eye cannot focus light correctly on the retina:

• Myopia (nearsightedness): The image focuses in front of the retina. Distant objects appear blurry.
• Hyperopia (farsightedness): The image focuses behind the retina. Difficulty is experienced especially at close range.
• Astigmatism: Due to the irregular curvature of the cornea, the image cannot be focused as a point on the retina.
• Presbyopia: Near vision difficulty occurs as the eye lens loses its flexibility with age.

In addition to the use of glasses and contact lenses, excimer laser treatment offers a permanent solution for the treatment of refractive errors. LASIK, PRK, and SMILE methods allow for the correction of refractive errors by applying a laser to the cornea. Suitability for laser treatment is evaluated through a comprehensive eye examination and corneal topography.

Dry Eye (Dry Eye Syndrome)

Dry eye syndrome is a common eye condition that occurs due to insufficient tear production or poor quality of the tear film. Dry eye manifests itself with symptoms of burning, stinging, redness, blurred vision, and paradoxically, excessive tearing. Increased computer and screen use, air-conditioned environments, and contact lens use increase the risk of dry eye.

Artificial tear drops, anti-inflammatory eye drops, tear duct plugs (punctal plugs), and lifestyle adjustments are applied in treatment. In severe cases, autologous serum eye drops and amniotic membrane treatment options can also be evaluated.

Strabismus and Amblyopia

Strabismus is a condition where the eyes cannot look in the same direction. Strabismus, which is common in childhood, can lead to amblyopia (lazy eye) if left untreated. Amblyopia is a condition where one eye fails to reach its visual potential without a structural cause. Diagnosis and treatment in early childhood significantly increase the chances of success.

Treatment involves glasses correction, patching therapy, orthoptic exercises, and surgical intervention when necessary. Regular eye examinations in children are vital for the early detection of strabismus and amblyopia.

Keratoconus

Keratoconus is a progressive corneal disease characterized by the thinning and conical shape of the cornea. Blurred and distorted vision, sensitivity to light, frequent changes in eyeglass prescriptions, and night vision problems are the main symptoms. Treatment includes glasses, rigid contact lenses, corneal cross-linking (cross-linking), intracorneal ring segments, and corneal transplantation in advanced cases. Cross-linking treatment is an effective method for stopping the progression of keratoconus.

Eye Infections and Inflammations

Eye infections are common health problems seen in every age group:

• Conjunctivitis: Inflammation of the conjunctiva (the membrane covering the white of the eye). It can be bacterial, viral, or allergic in origin.
• Keratitis: Infection of the cornea. Contact lens use is a significant risk factor.
• Uveitis: Intraocular inflammation. It may be associated with autoimmune diseases and infections.
• Blepharitis: Inflammation of the eyelid margin. It has a chronic course and requires regular eyelid hygiene.
• Stye and chalazion: Lesions formed by the blockage and infection of the glands in the eyelid.

Lacrimal Duct Diseases

Lacrimal duct obstruction is a condition that causes constant tearing and infection as a result of tears not being able to drain through the nose via the normal drainage pathway. In adults, it is most commonly encountered as chronic dacryocystitis (inflammation of the lacrimal sac). Congenital lacrimal duct obstruction is common in infants and usually resolves spontaneously with massage. In treatment, a new pathway for tears to flow into the nose is created with dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) surgery.

Eyelid Diseases

Eyelid diseases can create significant problems both functionally and cosmetically. Ptosis (drooping eyelid), entropion (inward turning of the eyelid), ectropion (outward turning of the eyelid), and eyelid tumors are conditions that may require surgical treatment. Blepharoplasty surgery is used to correct eyelid drooping and excess skin tissue.

Preventive Eye Health

The main points to consider for protecting eye health are:

• Having regular eye examinations (at least once a year)
• Keeping systemic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension under control
• Using sunglasses with UV filters
• Applying the 20-20-20 rule when using computers and screens
• Avoiding smoking
• Consuming a balanced diet rich in antioxidants
• Using protective goggles within the scope of occupational safety
• Having eye examinations in early childhood

In the Koru Hospital Ophthalmology department, our specialist physicians provide high-quality and reliable healthcare services to our patients by applying the latest technology and scientific approaches in the protection of your vision and the treatment of eye diseases.