Ophthalmology
Your Vision
Eye Doctors perform a variety of medical procedures to sustain and improve your eyesight as well as keep your eyes healthy. It's important if you're over the age of 40, or if you are have any concerns, to have your eyes examined by an ophthalmologist.
An ophthalmologist, or eye medical doctor, is licensed to practice medicine and surgery. The eye doctor can diagnose and treat all eye diseases as well as prescribe glasses and contact lenses.
Services | Cataract, Glaucoma, Macular Degeneration and Other Every Diseases | What's the difference between an Ophthalmologist, Optometrist and Optician? | Physician Referrals
Sutter North's Ophthalmologist
Location & Contact Information
Sutter North Medical Foundation's Department of Ophthalmology is located at:
Yuba City Medical Office Building
460 Plumas Boulevard
Yuba City, CA 95991
(located in the Town Center)
Call (530) 749-3510 to reach the Department of Ophthalmology directly.
Yuba City Medical Office Building
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Services
No-stich cataract surgery No-stitch cataract surgery allows incisions to heal without sutures. The natural pressure inside the eye is used to keep the incision closed while the eye heals. This allows for quicker recovery from the surgery.
Droopy eye lid surgery Droopy eye lid surgery or blepharoplasty removes the excess tissue (skin, muscle and fat) around the eye. As we age, the delicate skin around the eyes can appear puffy or saggy, muscles weaken and the normal deposits of protective fat around the eye bulge. Blepharoplasty may be performed for both functional and cosmetic reasons. Sometimes, tissue blocks vision. Blepharoplasty is usually performed on an outpatient basis and takes one to three hours.
Laser Surgery for Glaucoma Glaucoma laser surgery helps lower intraocular pressure (IOP) in the eye. The laser treatment may include opening fluid channels in the eye helping the drain system to work normally or treating specific cells. The type depends on the type of glaucoma, age, race, and other factors. During surgery, there is little or no discomfort. Commonly, patients may resume normally activities the day after surgery.
Laser for Retinopathy (Eye affected by Diabetes) Laser surgery for retinopathy (PDR) is used to shrink the abnormal blood vessels and reduce the risk of bleeding caused by this complication of diabetes.
Laser for Post-Cataract Surgery Laser for post-cataract surgery, called Posterior Capsulotomy, can be necessary. During cataract surgery part of the front capsule that holds the lens is removed. The clear back capsule remains intact. As long as the back capsule remains clear, one has good vision. But in 10 to 30% of people, the back capsule loses its clarity. When this happens, an opening can be made in the capsule with a laser to restore normal vision.
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Cataract, Glaucoma, Macular Degeneration and Other Every Diseases
A cataract is a loss of transparency, or clouding, of the normally clear lens of the eye. As one ages, chemical changes occur in the lens making it less transparent. This loss may be so mild vision is hardly affected or so severe that only light and dark is seen. The most common cause of a cataract is aging although there are other causes including trauma, certain medications, systemic diseases like diabetes and prolonged exposure to ultraviolet light. Sometimes, even babies are born with cataracts.
Limiting your amount of ultraviolet light exposure by wearing a wide-brim hat and sunglasses may reduce your risk of developing a cataract but once developed; a cataract must be surgically removed. Cataract surgery is often done in an
outpatient setting and in most cases, recovery is quick.
Glaucoma is a disease of the optic nerve. The part of the eye that carries the images we see from the eye to the brain. Damage to the optic nerve can create blind spots and vision loss. An Ophthalmologist can tell you if you are at risk for this disease, family history, certain ethnicities, advance age, certain optic nerve conditions and elevated eye pressure (Intraocular Pressure). Regular examinations are especially important if you are at risk for Glaucoma.
Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is one of the most common causes of poor vision after age 60. AMD is the breakdown of the macula, a small area at the center of the retina that allows us to see fine details clearly. Symptoms are loss of central vision while side vision is unaffected. While age is the most significant risk factor for developing AMD, hereditary, blue eyes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease and smoking are also risk factors.
Small specks or clouds in your field of vision as you look at a blank wall or a clear blue sky are known as floaters. Floaters, in most cases, are a natural part of the aging process. Flashes look like twinkles or lightning streaks. If a new floater or flasher appears, see an ophthalmologist immediately.
Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (PDR) is a complication of diabetes caused by changes in the blood vessels of the eye. Retinal blood vessels become
damaged from these complications and may close off. New, fragile blood vessels grow but they are abnormal and do not re-supply the retina with blood, may hemorrhage or cause scar tissue to grow all damaging one's vision. People with
PDR sometimes have no symptoms until it is too late to treat them; therefore, if you have diabetes, seek regular eye examinations because there is treatment
available to protect your vision.
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What's the difference between an Ophthalmologist, Optometrist and Optician?
An Ophthalmologist, or Eye M.D., is different from an optometrist or optician in training and in what they can diagnose and treat.
An Opthalmologist...
- Attends medical school
- Is a medical doctor first
- Performs surgery on eyes
- Perform lasers on eyes
- Can treat Glaucoma etc
- Can check for eyeglasses
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Physician Referrals
Physicians wishing to refer their patients to Sutter North Medical Foundation's Department of Ophthalmology, please call (530) 749-3510.
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