About Ophthalmology
What is ophthalmology
Ophthalmology is the study of the way the eye works, its parts, and the causes and effects of disease of the eye. It also includes the diagnosis and treatment of eye disorders. The eye is often compared to a camera, in that an image enters the eye by passing through the lens. Although the eye has several parts, the basic mechanism of sight is relatively simple.
Thousands of times a day, the eyes move and focus on images which are near and far. An image is rays of light that go through the cornea, pupil and lens. The internal eye muscles then aid in adjusting the shape of the lens to focus the rays on the back of the retina. This is where the rods and cones turn the light into electrical impulses which are then carried by the optic nerve to the brain and interpreted.
Because the eye is such a complicated and delicate instrument, anything more than the most routine care, like an eye exam, must be handled by a physician who is a specialist trained to treat eyes. This type of specialist is known as an ophthalmologist who is a medical doctor that has, in addition to medical school training, at least 4 years specialized training in the diagnosis and treatment of eye disorders. An opthalmologist provides comprehensive and complete eye care.