Ophthalmology is the branch of medicine that deals with the anatomy, physiology, and diseases of the eye. It combines medical and surgical expertise to diagnose and treat a wide range of eye conditions, making it one of the most dynamic and technology-driven specialties in medicine.

 Core Areas of Ophthalmology

1. General Ophthalmology

• Covers routine eye exams, vision correction, and common conditions like conjunctivitis and dry eye.

2. Anterior Segment

• Focuses on the front part of the eye: cornea, iris, lens.

• Includes cataract surgery and corneal diseases.

3. Posterior Segment

• Deals with the retina, vitreous, and optic nerve.

• Includes conditions like diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, and retinal detachment.

4. Glaucoma

• Studies increased intraocular pressure and optic nerve damage.

• Involves medical and surgical management.

5. Pediatric Ophthalmology

• Treats eye disorders in children, such as strabismus (crossed eyes) and amblyopia (lazy eye).

6. Neuro-Ophthalmology

• Combines neurology and ophthalmology to treat visual problems related to the nervous system (e.g., optic neuritis, cranial nerve palsies).

7. Oculoplastics

• Focuses on reconstructive and cosmetic surgery of the eyelids, orbit, and tear ducts.

8. Uveitis and Ocular Immunology

• Manages inflammation inside the eye, often linked to autoimmune diseases.

9. Refractive Surgery

• Includes LASIK and other procedures to correct vision without glasses.

10. Oncology

• Diagnoses and treats eye tumors, such as retinoblastoma and melanoma.

 Diagnostic and Surgical Tools

• Slit lamp, ophthalmoscope, tonometer

• Optical coherence tomography (OCT)

• Fundus photography

• Laser therapy

• Microsurgery and intraocular lens implants