Ophthalmology

Ophthalmology is the branch of medical science dealing with the anatomy, function, pathology, and treatment of the eye. It encompasses many subspecialties including: cornea and external disease, glaucoma, vitreoretinal diseases, oculoplastic surgery, pediatric ophthalmology, neuro-ophthalmology, and ophthalmic pathology. Ophthalmology has a long history and continues to evolve as new technologies become available. Despite incredible advances, prevention of eye disease and blindness around the world is still a major challenge. Regular eye exams, diagnosis and treatment by qualified ophthalmic specialists remain unaffordable and inaccessible for millions of people. More than 90 percent of the visually impaired people in the world live in developing countries. Throughout these countries, there is approximately one ophthalmologist per 1 million inhabitants. Ophthalmologists are often concentrated in large cities while the majority of the population lives in impoverished, rural areas. Social and economic deprivation experienced by the visually impaired extends throughout a community and results in a socioeconomic downward spiral. This can be reversed through widely available, appropriate, cost-effective preventive and curative interventions. In 1999, the international community initiated Vision 2020: The Right to Sight to eliminate preventable blindness by the year 2020 through integrated, sustainable eye care systems worldwide. One of the many objectives identified by Vision 2020 is the training of ophthalmologists and ancillary eye health care workers in even the most remote communities

Ophthalmology is a branch of medical science dealing with the anatomy, function, pathology, and treatment of the eye. Ophthalmologists are medical doctors with several years of specialized training in medical and surgical care of the eye. Ophthalmologists perform eye exams, prescribe glasses and contact lenses, and treat all conditions directly affecting the eye and surrounding muscle, bone, and skin. As conditions that affect various parts of the body can become evident in the eye, ophthalmology is closely associated with other medical fields. Ophthalmologists are able to diagnose conditions with ocular manifestations and refer patients to an appropriate physician for treatment. Following medical school and internship, ophthalmologists often complete fellowships in one of the subspecialties encompassed by ophthalmology: cornea and external disease, glaucoma, vitreoretinal diseases, oculoplastic surgery, pediatric ophthalmology, neuro-ophthalmology, and ophthalmic pathology.