Sight is one of the five senses. The other four senses are hearing, taste, smell, and touch.
This sense is very complicated, using four different lobes of the brain as well as the eyes in order to work correctly. The thalamus, the parietal lobe, the temporal lobe, and the occipital lobe are all parts of the brain which are involved in visual perception.
Vision is what happens when light is processed by the eyes and is interpreted by the brain. The light goes through the cornea, which is a transparent surface in the eye. The pupil then opens up to pass the information off to the interior of the eye. The iris, which regulates how large or small the pupil gets while this process is going on. A transparent lens shoots the light to the retina, which is on the back of the eye. The retina converts the light into a nerve impulse that is then carried to the brain and interpreted, causing the owner of the eye to see what it is he is looking at.
This category is reserved for websites about vision and eye health, diseases and other ailments of the eye, those who help keep our vision working and eyes healthy, and devices, such as glasses or contact lenses, which help us when our eyes need help.
There are three types of professionals who deal with eyes and vision.
Ophthalmologists are medical doctors who specialize in diseases of the eyes and how to treat them. Ophthalmologists have completed at least eight years of medical training after they graduate from college. They are medically trained and licensed to practice medicine and to perform surgery. They can diagnose as well as treat all eye diseases, perform eye surgery, fit and prescribe eyeglasses and contact lenses in order to correct any problems a patient has with vision. Just as in other medical specialties, many ophthalmologists work in scientific research. Ophthalmology subspecialties include pediatrics, cataracts, glaucoma, cornea, retina, neuro-ophthalmology, and ocular oncology.
Optometrists are healthcare professionals who offer vision care such as diagnosis, treatment, and management of vision changes, vision testing, and correction of vision problems. Although not a medical doctor, an optometrist is a professional who graduates from college after which he or she completes another four years of optometry school. Optometrists are license to practice optometry, which involves testing of vision, detecting eye diseases, and prescribing and dispensing medication for various eye diseases. Additionally, they do what we best know them for, which is prescribing and supplying patients with corrective eyeglasses.
Opticians are technicians who are trained to design, verify, and fit lenses and frames for eyeglasses and contact lenses. An optician does not prescribe anything, but rather takes the prescription produced by ophthalmologist or the optometrist and consult with the patient in order to come up with the best lenses options for the patient. In addition to eyeglass and contact lenses, an optician can prepare prosthetic eyes for patients who need them.
People who have diabetes, high blood pressure, HIV or AIDS, or the thyroid-related Graves disease should be on the lookout for eye diseases and have a complete eye exam performed by an ophthalmologists, as should anyone who has a family member with eye disease.
Recommended Resources
British Journal of Ophthalmology
This international peer-reviewed journal for ophthalmologists contains descriptions of clinical investigations, observations, and clinically relevant laboratory investigations which have to do with ophthalmology. Other features consist of state-of-the-art reviews, education articles, letters, and editorials. The latest content is displayed here on the site first, as is the current issue which is in print, and archives.
https://bjo.bmj.com
Oxford Eye Hospital contains patient information sheets and information about common ocular emergencies and referrals.
http://www.eyecasualty.co.uk/
Royal College of Ophthalmologists
Aside from a section which outlines the studies offered, there is a section about publications which detail clinical information, details of awards , and how the Royal College supports the science and practice of ophthalmology. The Patients section contains frequently asked questions, several options a patient who is unhappy has, and a large section of links to professional resources.
https://www.rcophth.ac.uk
