OPHTHALMOLOGY

Terminology description

Ophthalmology is a branch of science that deals mainly with physiology and anatomy of the eye. The word ophthalmology is derived from Greek word ‘ophthalmos’ meaning eye and ‘logos’ meaning course of study. Literally speaking, ophthalmology is a science of eye. Physician who practices ophthalmology is referred as ophthalmologists.

Ophthalmic examination history

The ophthalmic examination history can be overviewed in four aspects.

• Family history
• Medical history
• Ophthalmic history
• Current history

Family history: Most of the ophthalmic cases are of hereditary type. For instance refractive errors, cataract, glaucoma, retinal dystrophy, retinal detachment and strabismus are hereditary ophthalmic infection.

Medical history: Systemic disorders may end up in ophthalmic disorder. The conditions that may cause ophthalmic disorder are rheumatic disorders, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, infectious disease, surgery and other skin disease. Ophthalmic disorders like corticosteroid induced cataract, corticosteroid induced glaucoma and chloroquine induced maculopathy can be caused as side effect usage of clinical medications like myambutol, chloroquine, amiodarone, steroids and or chlorpromazine.

Ophthalmic history: Treatment of eye disorder with eye examination, contact lens, surgery, strabismus, amblyopia and post traumatic conditions.

Current history: Enquiring individuals with eye inflammation, impaired vision, symptoms, double vision, and eye injury shall be obtained.

Visual acuity

Ratio of actual distance to standard distance is referred as visual acuity. To check for visual acuity is responsibility of physician who practice ophthalmology to check for near and far vision of an individual. For which individuals are asked to identify the optotypes. These optotypes can be seen by a normal individual at certain distance of vision. Sharpness of vision is measured in terms of fraction. Ophthalmologists interpret visual acuity after findings of objective refraction. They calculate the constant distance and give it terms of decimal fraction value.

Ocular motility

Without moving head, physicians check for ocular motility of nine diagnostic positions of gazing.

• Straight ahead
• Up
• Down
• Right
• Left
• Upper right
• Upper left
• Lower right
• Lower left

Subspecialty of ophthalmology

Ophthalmology interdisciplinary science includes following fields.

• Ocular oncology
• Neuro ophthalmology
• Refractive surgery
• Anterior segment surgery
• Ophthalmic pathology
• Pediatric ophthalmology
• Orbit surgery
• Vitreo retinal surgery
• Veterinary ophthalmology

Questions:

• How do you measure intraocular pressure?
• How do you examine conjunctiva, cornea, anterior chamber and nasolacrimal duct?
• What is ophthalmoscopy?
• How to evaluate tear formation?
• What are the disorders of lachrymal gland?
• Define cataract after intraocular surgery.