We Take Our vision For Granted Until We Have Problems With Them, So It Is Reassuring To Know That medical And Surgical Knowledge About The Human Eye Is Constantly Being Updated And Developed

Most of us never stop to think about the fact that our eyes work and we can see clearly enough to have a good life. But the human eye is an a very complex and delicate part of the body and we should be very grateful to those medical consultants who take care of our sight.

The proper term for the medical specialisation relating to the eye is ophthalmology – an mix of two Greek words which directly translate as ‘the science of eyes’. Because the human eye can require both medical and surgical understanding, ophthalmologists are considered to be specialists in both fields.

As long ago as 800 BCE, those who took an interest had sufficient comprehension of the human eye to manage to diagnose several eye problems and to have come up with appropriate surgical processes and equipment to be able to treat some conditions, and over the centuries scientists and specialists have increased their knowledge of eyes and come up with treatments for many problems.

Then, in 1805, the first ever dedicated ophthalmic hospital opened its doors in London, and it lives on to this day under its current title of Moorfields Eye Hospital. The hospital is now a world renown centre of excellence for groundbreaking research to improve the diagnosis and treatment of all ailments and other problems that may have an impact on the human eye.

Before becoming an ophthalmologist, a medical student will have to go through several years of intensive specialist training, working alongside qualified ophthalmologists to gain the necessary skills before at last being appointed as a consultant. A number of consultant ophthalmologists focus on eye problems which are of particular interest to them and will hold specialist clinics for patients with those particular complaints.

Many people probably don’t realise just how much more an ophthalmologist can do when compared to the optician who we see for straightforward eye tests and for providing the prescription for glasses or contact lenses. But for all issues that involve actual surgery – be it a conventional operation or Laser eye surgery, an optician has to pass on the patient to an ophthalmologist to be treated.

Once a patient is seen by the expert consultant, a lot of types of eye treatments can be carried out. Technological advances in recent times mean that the level of diagnosis, and also treatment, continues to get better and better and many operations now are completed at an outpatients appointment under a local anaesthetic instead of the patient having to check into hospital for any period of time. Some of the most innovative improvements have been brought about by the increasing utilisation of Laser eye treatments, as these simply use the Laser eye beam to treat the affected part of the eye, rather than needing to use actual surgical tools, which means that there is far less likelihood of problems or infection.

Many of the more unpleasant eye complaints can often be related to other health problems, and so the ophthalmologist will work together with the other experts who are providing treatment. And obviously, many problems with the eyes like cataracts and glaucoma are frequently age related, so there has to be a good understanding of other problems which can have an effect on an older patient – not specifically issues associated with the eye complaint, but issues such as mobility or breathing difficulties.

Fortunately, most people get through life with their only sight problems being the requirement for glasses or contact lenses at some point. But for individuals who have more complicated eye complaints, it is reassuring to know that treatment will continue to evolve and get better every year, whether it be more precise Laser eye surgery, more delicate equipment for cataract removal or quicker diagnosis and treatment of more serious problems.
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