Ophthalmology involves the treatment of the eye and vision disorders. An ophthalmologist is a physician who diagnoses and treats eye disorders and diseases, and sometimes performs eye surgery. Ophthalmology is more than just vision care. This specialist is trained to medically or surgically treat all ocular and vision problems, including disorders of the eyelids and visual pathways. The ophthalmologist also provides comprehensive vision exams and prescribes glasses and contact lenses.

Doctor density varies by specialty and location. California has 2,924 practicing ophthalmologists. Broken out by city, ophthalmology doctor density in La Habra is 8, in La Jolla is 88, in La Mesa is 13, in La Mirada is 3, in La Palma is 6, in La Puente is 1, in La Quinta is 3, in Lafayette is 3, in Laguna Beach is 7, in Laguna Hills is 38, in Lake Arrowhead is 1, in Lake Elsinore is 4, in Lake Forest is 1, in Lake Isabella is 2, in Lakeport is 1, in Lakewood is 7, in Lancaster is 12, in Larkspur is 7, in Lawndale is 3, in Lincoln is 2, in Livermore is 5, in Lodi is 6, in Loma Linda is 43, in Lompoc is 7, in Long Beach is 66, in Los Alamitos is 16, in Los Altos is 11, in Los Angeles is 394, in Los Banos is 1, in Los Gatos is 19, and in Lynwood is 8.

California’s population is 36,142,137, and it is America’s third largest and most populous state. It also claims the highest and lowest altitudes in the lower 48 states. The lowest point in the country, Death Valley, is also home to the nation’s highest recorded temperature, 134 degrees. Tourists flock to this state for its many outdoor activities and attractions, including Universal Studios, Disneyland, Rodeo Drive shopping, the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, wine country tours, and California’s numerous beaches and parks. Los Angeles is the nation’s second largest city, but California’s capital is Sacramento. The giant sequoias in California’s forests are among the oldest living things in the world, and a redwood in the Redwood National Park is said to be the world’s tallest tree, at 365 feet. California achieved statehood in 1850, and was named the Golden State after the beginning of the Gold Rush in 1848.

According to 2005 Census estimates, California has a population of 36,132,147. Of this population, 9,308,563 are under the age of 18 and 3,827,038 are at or above the age of 65.