Ophthalmology: Meaning (information, definition, explanation, facts)

Ophthalmology is the branch of medicine which deals with the diseases of the eye and their treatment. The word ophthalmology comes from the Greek root "ophthalmos-" meaning "eye"; ophthalmology literally means "the science of eyes." As ophthalmologists perform operations of eyes, they are considered surgeons in most countries.

Professional requirements

Ophthalmologists are medical doctors who have completed medical school and embark on a training schedule that generally lasts 6-7 years in most countries. In the US, an ophthalmologist has had at least three years of residency training before qualifying for ophthalmology training. Many ophthalmologists also undergo additional specialized training in one of the many subspecialities. Ophthalmology was the first branch of medicine to offer board certification, now a standard practice among all specialties.

The American Academy of Ophthalmology promotes the use of the phrase "Eye MD" to distinguish ophthalmologists from optometrists, who are doctors of optometry (OD) and detect, treat, manage, and refer cases of eye disease, but who have not gone to medical school. Historically, ophthalmology and optometry evolved independently and some rivalry is discernable between the professions. The American Optometric Association suggests that optometrists be regarded as "primary eye care providers". For more on the distinctions, see Optometry.

In U.K., MRCOpth, FRCOpth, MRCS, FRCS (postgraduate exams) are required for specialisation in eye diseases.

In India, either M.D./M.S./D.O.M.S/D.N.B. in Ophthalmology is necessary before one can expertly deal with various problems of the eye.

Ophthalmology includes sub-specialities which deal either with certain diseases or diseases of certain part of the eye. Some of them are:

• Cornea and ocular surface
• Glaucoma
• Lens
• Blindness
• Refractive surgery
• Retina and Vitreous
• Uveitis
• Strabismus (Squint),
• Pediatric ophthalmology
• Eye trauma

• Cataract surgery is a major sight-giving operation that eye surgeons perform by removal of the opaque human lens and replacement with an artificial Intraocular lens implant.
• Phacoemulsification is keyhole surgery with emulsification and aspiration of cataract through a 2.8-3 mm incision and placement of a foldable intraocular lens through the same unenlarged incision. This gives faster rehabilitation and excellent results in trained hands.
• LASIK (Laser assisted-in-situ keratomilieusis) is a type of refractive surgery whereby an excimer laser (193 nm) is used to remodel the corneal stroma after lifting a partial thickness corneal flap made by a microkeratome. Excimer laser ablates tissue without causing damage to adjacent stroma in a finely controlled manner.

• Sir Howard Ridley was the first to successfully implant an artificial intraocular lens in 1949.