Ophthalmology (Eye)

Last medically reviewed on 11 Feb 2025.

Reader note: The generalized information provided is intended for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice or a substitute for consultation with a qualified healthcare professional.

What is Ophthalmology?

The Hong Kong Academy of Medicine (HKAM) defines ophthalmology as “a discipline of Medicine that deals with comprehensive diagnosis and management of visual disorders, diseases of the eye and its related structures.”[1] As a specialized field, ophthalmology encompasses a wide range of eye care services, from routine vision checks to complex surgical procedures. Ophthalmologists are medical doctors who have undergone training to become specialists in eye health and vision care.[2]

Specialist in Ophthalmology

In Hong Kong, the term Specialist in Ophthalmology carries additional meaning as a regulated title. Use of the title Specialist in Ophthalmology is permitted only for use by doctors who have undergone accredited ophthalmology training and/or certification by the HKAM.[3] These doctors are then eligible for inclusion in the Specialist Register of the Medical Council of Hong Kong.[4]

The Scope of Ophthalmology

Ophthalmology covers various aspects of eye care,[5] including:

• Diagnosis and Treatment: Ophthalmologists are equipped to identify and manage a broad spectrum of eye conditions, from common refractive errors to complex diseases.
• Surgical Interventions: These specialists perform intricate eye procedures, such as eyelid surgery, cataract removal, glaucoma treatments, and corneal refractive surgery.
• Preventive Care: Regular eye examinations conducted by ophthalmologists can detect early signs of eye diseases and systemic health issues.
• Medical Management: Ophthalmologists prescribe medications and therapies to treat various eye conditions and diseases.

Common Eye Conditions Addressed by Ophthalmologists

Ophthalmologists manage a wide array of eye-related issues. From outside and around the eyes to inside the eyeballs, these include:

1. Eyelid malposition (ptosis, excess eyelid skin, ectropion, entropion, lid bags)[6, 7]
2. Eyelid inflammation (chalazion, stye, blepharitis)[8]
3. Blocked tear duct (nasolacrimal obstruction, tearing)[9]
4. Conjunctivitis (allergic, infectious, irritant)[10]
5. Dry eye syndrome
6. Eye and periocular skin conditions (ocular rosacea, skin cancer, eczema)
7. Refractive errors (myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, presbyopia)
8. Uveitis
9. Cataracts
10. Glaucoma
11. Diabetic retinopathy
12. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD)
13. Retinal detachment
14. Ocular trauma (eyelid laceration, orbital fracture)

The Role of Ophthalmologists in Health Care

Ophthalmologists play a vital role in maintaining and improving eye and systemic health.[11] Their responsibilities include:

• Comprehensive Eye Examinations: These detailed evaluations assess visual acuity, screen for refractive errors, and evaluate the health of the eyes’ internal structures.[12]

• Diagnostic Techniques: Ophthalmologists utilize a wide range of technology to diagnose eye conditions, including optical coherence tomography (OCT), automated perimetry (visual field testing), high-resolution digital retinal imaging, and fluorescein angiography.[13-15]

• Customized Treatment Plans: Based on their diagnosis, ophthalmologists develop personalized treatment strategies that may involve continued monitoring, medication, surgery, or lifestyle modifications.

• Surgical Procedures: For conditions requiring surgical intervention, ophthalmologists perform procedures ranging from laser treatments to complex reconstructive surgeries.[16]

• Collaborative Primary Care: Ophthalmologists often work together with frontline healthcare professionals, such as general practitioners and family medicine doctors to manage systemic diseases that affect eye health, including diabetes and hypertension.[17] 

• Interdisciplinary Teamwork: Ophthalmologists also work with other specialists to diagnosis, monitor, and help manage complex medical conditions that need multispecialty care or that require close follow up of systemic treatments that affect the eyes. These include a range of areas, such as rheumatic, neurologic, autoimmune, vascular, infectious, and dermatologic conditions.[18, 19]

Areas within Ophthalmology

The specialty of ophthalmology involves several specific areas.[20-22] From in front of the eyes to behind the eyes, these fields include:

1. Oculoplastics and orbit
2. Cornea and external disease
3. Uveitis and ocular immunology
4. Glaucoma
5. Retina and vitreous
6. Pediatric ophthalmology
7. Neuro-ophthalmology

When to See an Ophthalmologist

Routine eye check-ups are important for everyone. Certain conditions need closer follow up.[23]

Situations that warrant immediate attention from an ophthalmologist:

– Sudden vision changes, blurriness, or vision loss

– Eye pain, redness, and/or light sensitivity

– Flashes of light or new floaters in your vision

– Sudden onset eyelid drooping or double vision

– After any eye trauma, injury, or accident

– Cut on the eyelid (laceration)

Other reasons to see an ophthalmologist:

– Any visual disturbance or eye symptom

– Diabetic-related eye issues

– Presence of other health issues, such as autoimmune conditions

– Family history of eye diseases

– Age-related eye concerns (typically after age 40)

– Dry eyes

The Importance of Regular Eye Examinations

Regular eye exams help maintaining optimal eye health and detecting potential issues early. For eye screenings in children, there are screening protocols segmented by the age of the child. The timelines involve various health care providers at different stages; these include pediatricians, family physicians, trained eye screeners, and ophthalmologists.[24] For adults, even in those without any problems with vision, ophthalmologists recommend a baseline eye disease screening by age 40.[25] By 55 years of age, the eye exams should be annually.

However, individuals with existing eye conditions or risk factors may need more frequent check-ups.

Conclusion

Ophthalmology is the medical specialty focused on preserving and enhancing vision and eye health. From routine eye care to complex surgical procedures, ophthalmologists diagnose, treat, and help prevent eye diseases. By understanding the scope of ophthalmology and the importance of regular eye examinations, individuals can take proactive steps to protect their vision and overall eye health. Whether experiencing eye problems or simply needing an eye check-up, consulting an ophthalmologist ensures that the eyes can receive appropriate care.

References

[1] “Recognised Specialties and Fellows Register,” 06 Feb 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.hkam.org.hk/sites/default/files/PDFs/2024/SPECRE25%20(Specialty%20descriptions%20-20240206).pdf?v=1736316996530. [Accessed 10 Feb 2025].

[2] “Ophthalmology,” 09 Feb 2025. [Online]. Available: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ophthalmology. [Accessed 10 Feb 2025].

[3] “Specialist Registration,” [Online]. Available: https://www.hkam.org.hk/en/specialist-registration. [Accessed 10 Feb 2025].

[4] “Specialist Registration – Ophthalmology,” January 2025. [Online]. Available: https://www.mchk.org.hk/english/list_register/list.php?type=S&fromlist=Y&advancedsearch=Y&regno=S07. [Accessed 10 Feb 2025].

[5] “Ophthalmology: Key Aspects,” 22 May 2024. [Online]. Available: https://medical.hee.nhs.uk/medical-training-recruitment/medical-specialty-training/ophthalmology#:~:text=Surgical%20procedures%20%2D%20Ophthalmologists%20are%20skilled,within%20the%20scope%20of%20ophthalmology. [Accessed 10 Feb 2025].

[6] “Oculoplastics,” 21 May 2024. [Online]. Available: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oculoplastics. [Accessed 10 Feb 2025].

[7] “Oculoplastics service,” 28 April 2023. [Online]. Available: https://www.newcastle-hospitals.nhs.uk/services/eye-department/oculoplastics-service/. [Accessed 10 Feb 2025].

[8] “Chalazion (meibomian cyst),” 4 Sept 2024. [Online]. Available: https://info.health.nz/conditions-treatments/eyes/chalazion-meibomian-cyst. [Accessed 11 Feb 2025].

[9] “What Is a Blocked Tear Duct?,” 1 March 2015. [Online]. Available: https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/what-is-blocked-tear-duct. [Accessed 10 Feb 2025].

[10] “Conjunctivitis,” 9 July 2024. [Online]. Available: https://info.health.nz/conditions-treatments/eyes/conjunctivitis. [Accessed 11 Feb 2025].

[11] “20 Surprising Health Problems an Eye Exam Can Catch,” 24 April 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/surprising-health-conditions-eye-exam-detects. [Accessed 10 Feb 2025].

[12] Yadav S, Tandon R. Comprehensive eye examination: what does it mean?. Community Eye Health, 17 Dec 2019. [Online]. Available: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7041818/#:~:text=A%20CEE%20consists%20of%20a,as%20a%20yearly%20check%2Dup. [Accessed 10 Feb 2025].

[13] “What Is Optical Coherence Tomography?,” 26 Sept 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.aao.org/eye-health/treatments/what-is-optical-coherence-tomography. [Accessed 10 Feb 2025].

[14] Ruia S, Tripathy K. Humphrey Visual Field. StatPearls, 25 August 2023. [Online]. Available: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK585112/. [Accessed 11 Feb 2025].

[15] Panwar N, Huang P, Lee J, et al. Fundus Photography in the 21st Century—A Review of Recent Technological Advances and Their Implications for Worldwide Healthcare. Telemed J E Health, March 2016. [Online]. Available: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4790203/. [Accessed 10 Feb 2025].

[16] “Overview of Major Ophthalmic Surgeries,” [Online]. Available: https://eyeguru.org/blog/major-ophthalmology-surgeries-explained/. [Accessed 10 Feb 2025].

[17] Chen CJ, Herring J, Chen AS. Managing diabetic retinopathy: the partnership between ophthalmologist and primary care physician. J Miss State Med Assoc, July 1995. [Online]. Available: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7674296/. [Accessed 10 Feb 2025].

[18] “Ocular involvement in cutaneous connective tissue disease,” 20 Feb 2016. [Online]. Available: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0738081X15002369. [Accessed 10 Feb 2025].

[19] Pirani V, Pelliccioni P, De Turris S, et al. The Eye as a Window to Systemic Infectious Diseases: Old Enemies, New Imaging. J Clin Med, 5 Sept 2019. [Online]. Available: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6780210/. [Accessed 11 Feb 2025].

[20] Lam PT. The challenges of ophthalmic training and accreditation in Hong Kong. Hong Kong J Ophthalmol, 1 Dec 2008;12(1):3-6 [Online]. Available from: https://hkjo.hk/index.php/hkjo/article/view/57 [Accessed 11 Feb 2025].

[21] “Ophthalmic Surgery,” [Online]. Available: https://www.rcsi.com/surgery/training/surgery/ophthalmic-surgery/overview. [Accessed 10 Feb 2025].

[22] “Clinical Subspecialties,” 10 Feb 2025. [Online]. Available: https://www.snec.com.sg/patient-care/specialties-and-services/clinical-subspecialties. [Accessed 10 Feb 2025].

[23] “20 Reasons to See an Ophthalmologist,” 3 April 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/why-ophthalmologist-eye-exam-2020-vision. [Accessed 10 Feb 2025].

[24] “Eye Screening for Children,” 10 July 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/children-eye-screening. [Accessed 10 Feb 2025].

[25] “Get an Eye Disease Screening at 40,” 2 April 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/screening. [Accessed 10 Feb 2025].