Ophthalmology is the branch of medicine which deals with the diseases and surgery of the visual pathways, including the eye, brain, and areas surrounding the eye, such as the lacrimal system and eyelids. The word ophtalmology comes from the Greek roots ophthalmos meaning eye and logos meaning word, thought or discourse; ophthalmology literally means "The science of eyes." As a discipline it applies to animal eyes also, since the differences from human practice are surprisingly minor and are related mainly to differences in anatomy or prevalence, not differences in disease processes. However, veterinary medicine is regulated separately in many countries and states/provinces resulting in few ophthalmologists treating both humans and animals. By convention the term ophthalmologist is more restricted and implies a medically trained specialist. Since ophthalmologists perform operations on eyes, they are generally categorized as surgeons.

Laser eye surgery using the modern “excimer” type equipment has been around since 1996 – in the first few years that it was available, many surgeons became certified to use the new equipment, so you can be confident that they are many eye surgeons in who have been performing the procedure for as many as 10 years. Any surgeon who has complete a residency in ophthalmology or refractive surgery will have at least three years of experience doing laser eye surgery, and you should settle for nothing less than that. Many eye doctors have been certified in ophthalmology for a long time but only recently trained in laser surgery – so be specific when you ask your eye surgeon about his or her training to make sure that they not only have certification and training, but that they have been performing operations for at least three years. Be wary of any eye doctor who promises you 100 percent better vision after laser surgery. A good eye doctor will tell you that Lasik won’t give you 20/20 vision, and that there’s a small chance you may need a follow-up surgery to “fine tune” your vision once you’ve healed after the first procedure. There are also a range of symptoms that a small number of Lasik patients experience after surgery – if your eye surgeon fails to warn you of possible post-surgical symptoms when you discuss the procedure, this isn’t acceptable and you should look elsewhere in for another surgeon.

You should have an annual eye exam to look for Marfan related eye problems. If you have dislocated lenses, you may be able to be treated with special lenses called Aphakic Lenses and special eye drops to widen the pupil rather than surgery. If eye surgery is necessary, it should be done in an ophthalmology center that specializes in the treatment of Marfan Syndrome.

Precautions

The greatest danger is death from a sudden split in the aorta. Dilation may happen from the normal pumping of the blood through a weakened aorta, from extreme physical exercise (as in my case) or extreme emotional distress, both of which sends the blood rushing at higher pressures.

Children and adults with Marfan Syndrome are warned to avoid heavy exercise, contact sports, and lifting heavy objects.