What is ophthalmology?

Ophthalmology is a branch of medicine which deals with the eyes and visual system, and diagnosing, treating, and preventing diseases and conditions affecting them.
Ophthalmology is a mixed medical and surgical specialty, and deals with a diverse range of issues. Eye health services are very important, as eye problems, such as cataracts, are very common, affecting a large number of people across the UK, and as the population ages, the incidence of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) increases. If these diseases are caught early enough, they can be treated and managed with the expertise of ophthalmologists.

What conditions does an ophthalmologist treat?

Although the eye is a small organ, its importance cannot be overstated, and, due to the complexity of our visual mechanics, the eyes can be affected by a number of different problems and diseases. As such, ophthalmologists have to be trained to deal with a wide variety of visual problems. Some of these eye problems are very common – for instance, cataract surgery is the second most common operation performed on the NHS in England.
Some of the conditions ophthalmologists treat include:

Cataracts
AMD
Glaucoma
Chronic eye conditions (e.g. diabetic retinopathy)
Squints
Corneal diseases
Retinal problems (e.g. retinal detachment, macular oedema, etc.)
Inflammation inside the eye
Neurological problems related to vision or the eyes
Floaters

Which subspecialties are included under ophthalmology?

Sub-specialty interests for ophthalmologists include:

Medical retina
Glaucoma
Paediatric ophthalmology
Oculoplastic surgery
Cornea and anterior segment
Neuro-ophthalmology
Primary care

When should you see an ophthalmologist?

You should visit an ophthalmologist if you are experiencing problems with your vision, including blurred vision, glare or haloes, flashes of light, floaters, or if colours don’t appear as vivid as they did in the past. If you are experiencing any problems or unexplained changes in your eyes, such as inflammation, or a change in the shape of your eye you may need the expertise of an ophthalmologist.

Erika Martinez Hitschfeld