Medical ophthalmology
Medical ophthalmologists (also known as ophthalmic physicians) are doctors who prevent, diagnose and treat medical eye conditions, many of which are related to systemic disease, such as diabetes.
This page provides useful information on the nature of the work, the common procedures/interventions, sub-specialties and other roles that may interest you.
Nature of the work
Medical ophthalmologists are doctors trained in both general (internal) medicine and ophthalmology. They manage medical eye disorders, many of which are related to systemic (ie whole-body) disease such as diabetes, hypertension, atherosclerosis, inflammation, infection and malignancy. Ocular inflammatory disorders may be the first manifestation of systemic disease and it is important that the whole patient is investigated and treated, not just the presenting organ. Their role is different from ophthalmic surgeons who are specialists in the surgical and medical treatment of diseases and injuries in and around the eye.
Medical ophthalmologists treat conditions such as:
- inflammatory/infectious disorders affecting vision, eg uveitis, scleritis, corneal graft rejection, systemic vasculitis, thyroid eye disease
- neurological disorders affecting vision, eg multiple sclerosis, brain tumour, stroke, pituitary disorders, thyroid eye disease,
- raised eye pressure, eg glaucoma
- retina specific disorders affecting vision, eg age-related macular degeneration
- vascular disorders affecting vision, eg diabetes, diabetic retinopathy,
- genetic disorders affecting vision, eg retinitis pigmentosa
“Ophthalmology is a fascinating area and although it is a niche specialty” Dr Richard Gale is a consultant in medical ophthalmology, working at York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Common procedures/interventions
These include:
- clinical examinations
- prescription of drug treatments, including immunosuppressive therapies
- laser therapy
- intra-ocular injections for the treatment of uveitis (inflammation of the middle layer of the eye) and retinal disorders
- diagnostics taps
- botulinum injections for facial dystonias (involuntary muscle contractions)
Good stereoscopic binocular corrected visual acuity is required for a career in medical ophthalmology.
Sub-specialties
There are no CCT sub-specialties or associated sub-specialties for medical ophthalmology, but medical ophthalmologists usually focus on one or more of the following areas; adult uveitis, paediatric uveitis, orbital inflammation, neuro-ophthalmolology, medical retina, diabetes retinal screening. UKNOSIG is a special interest group for those interested in neuro-ophthalmology.
Want to learn more?
Find out more about:
- the working life of someone in medical ophthalmology
- the entry requirements and training and development
- the specialty through the interview with Dr Richard Gale, a consultant in medical ophthalmology