Karen Alvarez, DO

Ophthalmology is a specialty focused on the medical and surgical care of the eyes. Ophthalmologists are the only physicians medically trained to manage the complete range of the eye and vision care. They can prescribe glasses and contact lenses, dispense medications, diagnose and treat eye conditions and diseases and perform surgeries. A pediatric ophthalmologist is a medical and surgical doctor who graduated from medical school and specializes in the care of children’s eyes. All ophthalmologists have training in children’s eye disorders, but the pediatric ophthalmologist has additional training, experience, and expertise in examining children, and has the greatest knowledge of possible conditions that affect the pediatric patient and his/her eyes

An Ophthalmologist has the knowledge and professional skills needed to provide comprehensive eye and vision care for patients of all ages. Ophthalmologists are medically trained to diagnose, monitor and medically or surgically treat all ocular and visual disorders. They also provide consultative services for the diagnosis and management of ocular manifestation of systemic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and infectious and non-infectious inflammation. This includes problems affecting the eye and its component structures, the eyelids, the orbit and the visual pathways. In so doing, an Ophthalmologist prescribes vision services, including glasses and contact lenses.