The eyes have it - eye procedures in Sandpoint
Most of you are familiar with the fact the physicians perform a large variety of outpatient procedures right here at Bonner General Hospital every day. Local doctors perform everything from Cesarean Sections to orthopedic surgeries to eye surgeries. Yes, that's right, eye surgeries. Doctors Ron Ullman and Chuck George of the Eye Clinic of Sandpoint can perform many procedures right here at BGH. These ophthalmologists have both the extensive experience and love of small-town living that make healthcare in Sandpoint great.
They can perform intra-ocular procedures (procedures directly on the eye), such as cataract correction and corneal transplants. They can also perform corrective surgery for issues with the area surrounding the eye. Dr. Ullman has additional post-graduate training in occulo-plastic surgery. All of these procedures are outpatient, meaning that the patient comes in, has the procedures, which can last anywhere from one to two-and-a-half hours, recovers, and then is released to go home, with instructions for care.
In our area, the doctors see quite a lot of people with skin cancer of the eye area; basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma. These cancers are frequently found around the delicate skin of the eye area, where sunscreen application often gets missed. To minimize your risk of skin cancer, Dr. Ullman recommends wearing a brimmed hat, sunglasses with 100% UV protection, and sunscreen that's safe around the eye-area. Follow these precautions even during winter months, because though the sun's rays are weaker, UV rays can bounce off the snow and do real damage.
Other types of corrective surgery are also common. For example, as we age, the skin around our eyes can sag, inhibiting our vision and causing discomfort. Blepharoplasty is a procedure that can correct this issue, allowing patients to regain their peripheral vision, making driving and other activities safer. Of course, this type of procedure can also be done for purely cosmetic reasons, as it improves the patient's appearance, allowing them to look and feel younger.
Many children and adults suffer from tear duct issues, either chronic dry-eye or chronic tearing. These conditions can both be irritating and even debilitating, if left untreated. Another problem that can affect both adults and children are non-cancerous growths. Moles, skin tags, birth marks and other growths that might affect vision or merely be unsightly can often be easily removed by an ophthalmologist.
Eye damage can also occur as the result of a trauma such as a car accident, or blunt-object impact that can cause lacerations or other damage. Though, thankfully, these are not often seen in our area, it's nice to know that there are physicians in Sandpoint who can help repair this sort of damage if and when it does occur.
Certain conditions and diseases can also increase risk of eye problems. Diabetes, a problem that's all-too-common in our area, is responsible for many eye issues including glaucoma and cataracts. Even pregnancy can cause a change in vision that though temporary, can be dangerous to ignore.
It's always important to have regular eye exams to treat vision concerns and catch any potential problems or issues early on. Though medical science is doing it's best to improve and correct problems, vision is not something any of us should take for granted.