Ophthalmology is the branch of medicine that deals with diseases and surgery of the visual pathways including the eyes, brain, and areas surrounding each eye as such as the lacrimal (tear) system and the eyelids. The word "ophthalmology" comes from the Greek root words "ophthalmos" meaning "eye" and "logos" meaning "word, thought, or discourse." So the word literally means "the science of eyes." Since ophthalmologists perform operations on the eyes, they are classified as physicians and surgeons.
Ophthalmologists are specially trained to provide the full spectrum of eye care from prescribing eyeglasses and contact lenses to complex eye surgery. Many eye doctors are also involved in research of the eye and its conditions and diseases. Often times, an eye doctor will spend an additional year or two on a subspecialty such as glaucoma or pediatric ophthalmology. Many, but not all, eye doctors are what is called "board certified," which means he/she has passed a rigorous two-part examination given by the American Board of Ophthalmology designed to assess his knowledge, experience and skills.
General ophthalmology may be just the beginning of one"s training. There are many subspecialties under this fascinating field of medicine including:
• Cornea and External Disease: This subspecialty involved the diagnosis and management of diseases of the cornea, sclera, conjunctiva and eyelids including corneal dystrophies, infections, tumors, etc.
• Glaucoma: Includes treatment of glaucoma and other disorders that cause optic nerve damage by increasing intraocular pressure. This specialty involves the medical and surgical treatment of children and adults.
• Neuro-ophthalmology: Involves the relationship between neurologic and ophthalmologic diseases and deals with local pathology affecting the optic nerve and visual pathways.
• Ophthalmic Patholgy: An ophthalmic pathologist has training in both ophthalmology and pathology. This type of doctor will examine tissue specimens from the eye to diagnose disease and conditions.
• Ophthalmic Plastic Surgery: This specialty includes orbital surgery, eyelid and upper facial reconstructive procedures following trauma, tumors and cosmetic lid surgery. Oculoplastic surgeons combine ophthalmic surgery with plastic surgery and are trained in the use of chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and chemosurgery to treat ocular and orbital disease.
• Pediatric Ophthalmology: Involves the medical and surgical management of strabismus, amblyopia, genetic and developmental abnormalities occurring in first twenty years of life.
• Vitreoretinal Diseases: This involves both the medical and surgical treatment of retinal and vitreoretinal disease (retina and vitreous diseases).