What Is Ophthalmology?

Ophthalmology Specialties

Many ophthalmologists choose to specialize in a particular area of eye health or surgery. For example, some professionals specialize in the treatment of glaucoma, and others practice ocular oncology, a subspecialty that deals with medical and surgical care for patients with eye cancers. In the field of neuro-ophthalmology, eye specialists are concerned with the treatment of conditions involving nerve damage that impacts vision. For example, neuro-ophthalmologists routinely treat cases in which damage to the optic nerve has compromised vision. Some ophthalmologists specialize in refractive surgery that can improve visual acuity through surgical means, and others choose to work in the field of anterior segment surgery. This surgical area includes procedures involving the iris, cornea, ciliary body, and lens. One of the most popular ophthalmology specialties is oculoplastics. Oculoplastics specialists are ophthalmologists who are specially trained in surgical methods that can include orbital surgery, cosmetic procedures to enhance the eyelids, and reconstructions of the upper area of the face.