Ophthalmology - MedFriendly.com

Ophthalmology is the science that deals with

structure, functions, and diseases of the eye,

and the diagnosis and treatment of such

diseases. This treatment is often done with

medication and/or surgery. Someone who

studies ophthalmology is known as an

optometrists). Ophthalmologists can perform

surgery on the eyes.

FEATURED BOOK: Basic Ophthalmology

Two common tools in the field of ophthalmology are phoropters and slit lamps. A

phoropter is an instrument that contains different lenses to measure the focusing of light

by the eye to determine the proper eyeglass prescription. A slit lamp is an instrument that

consists of a high-intensity light source that focuses a thin sheet (slit) of light on the eye

to help examine the frontal structures of the eye such as the lens, iris (colored part of the

eye), cornea (clear covering at the front of the eyeball), sclera (the white part of the eye),

eyelid, and the conjunctiva. The conjunctiva is a clear layer that covers and protects the

inside of the eyelids and the front part of the sclera.

You can read more about the field of ophthalmology by going to the American Academy of

Ophthalmology website. Ophthalmology comes from the Greek word "opthalmos" meaning

"eye," and the Greek word "logos" meaning "the study of." Put the two words together and

you have "the study of (the) eye."