Ophthalmology
Ophthalmology- the study of the eye, including diseases
of the eye and their respective treatments
Optometrist- examines people’s eyes to diagnose vision
problems and eye diseases
Optician- person who dispenses lenses and other optical
devices
Ophthalmologist- an MD who performs eye surgery, as
well as diagnoses and treats eye diseases and injuries
Anatomy of the Eye
• The Outer Structures
– Orbit: bony socket that holds the eye
– Lacrimal gland: the gland that secretes
tears
– Nasolacrimal ducts: drains tears into
nose
– Eyelids: folds of skin that protect the
eye
– Meibomian glands: secrete oils to
lubricate the eyelids
– Eyelashes: hair attached to the eyelids
to protect the eye
• Other Structures
– Cornea: “window of the eye”
– Sclera: “white of the eye”
– Extraocular muscles: move the eye in
different directions
– Conjunctiva: keeps bacteria and foreign
material out of the eye
– Iris: colored part; controls light that
enters the eye
– Pupil: central opening that allows light
to enter the eye
– Lens: allows for fine focusing of light
– Retina: lines the inside of the back part
of the eye
– Macula: center area of the retina
– Optic nerve: transmits nerve signals of
images to the brain
The Visual Process
Light → cornea → pupil → lens → retina →
photoreceptor layer → optic nerve → brain
Common Visual Disorders
• Myopia: nearsightedness
• Hyperopia: farsightedness
• Astigmatism: irregular conformation of the
cornea
• Presbyopia: “aging eyes”
• Diplopia: double vision
• Amblyopia: “lazy eye”
Treatments
• Corrective lenses (glasses, contacts)
• Surgical Treatments:
– LASIK: corrects the shape of the cornea
with a laser and microkeratome
– PRK: corrects the shape of the cornea
but without cutting (as in LASIK)
– RK: radial incisions placed into the
cornea to correct myopia
– AK: curved patterns placed into the
cornea to correct astigmatism
– LTK: treats hyperopia using a YAG laser
shrinking collagen in the cornea
– CK: uses low-level frequency waves to
shrink the collagen in the cornea
 – ICL: injectable lens that unfolds to Diagnostic Studies and Procedures
correct nearsightedness
• Assessing Visual Acuity
Common Structural Diseases and Disorders
– Snellen chart
• Chalazion: a cyst caused by enlargement of a
meibomian gland – Refraction

• Dilated examination: examination of back of

• Blepharitis: inflammation of the lid margins
the eye with ophthalmoscope
• Entropion: abnormal inward curling of the
• Slit-lamp examination: can examine eyes under
eyelid
high magnification
• Ectropion: abnormal outward curling of the
• Visual field testing:
eyelid

• Conjunctivitis: inflammation of the conjunctiva; - Amsler grid: detects macular problems

“pink eye”
• Scleritis: inflammation of the sclera
• Superficial punctate keratitis: inflammation
and death of cells on the cornea
• Keratoconus: a change in shape of the cornea
to cone-shaped
• Cataract: clouding of the lens
- Perimetry test: tests peripheral vision
 Applanation tonometry: measures balance
of pressure to detect glaucoma
 Gonioscopy: evaluates angle between
cornea and iris for glaucoma
 Fluorescein angiography: captures photos
of retinal vasculature
 Corneal topography: analyzes the curvature
of the cornea

• Glaucoma: increased eye pressure due to

inadequate drainage of aqueous humor

• Diabetic retinopathy: macular edema and

vision loss caused by diabetes

• Age-related macular (AMD) degeneration:

malfunction of rods and cones, causing vision
loss

- Dry form:
• most common: 90% of cases

• cells of the macula begin to break down

• drusen form under the retina

- Wet form:
• considered to be advanced AMD

• blood vessels leak fluid and blood,

causing damage to the macula