Ophthalmology. O-p-h-t-h-a-l-m-o-l-o-g-y. Yes, the word has two ‘h’s in it. Apparently, this fact is very high yield for testing purposes. 😀
Today will be an interesting day – urology lecture in the morning, a few hours in the operating room, and then back to campus for an ophthalmology practical based on our morning lectures from last week. This will be the last practical I take by one of the legendary professors at Baylor Med, and in a way (as detailed as they are), it’s sad to think that no longer will this man be giving me lectures or tests. 🙁
The human eye has always been an interesting organ to study. Aside from the biology, there are a lot of optics and simple mechanics behind the miracle of vision. The ability to visually perceive is not without an incredible demonstration of structure-function with regards. With regards to eye anatomy, everything has a purpose, and there’s very little wasted space.
Ophthalmology is another one of those fields which “just makes sense.” Where does your lens focus incoming photons of light? If it’s not on the retina, then let’s use corrective lenses to make it so. Have an eye infection? Let’s use the “common things being common” mantra and treat it with a fluoroquinolone (or ceftriaxone and doxycycline for gonorrhea and chlamydia, respectively). Diabetic retinopathy? Let’s use an angiogenesis inhibitor to prevent proliferative changes which could possibly lead to retinal detachment without treatment.
Here’s hoping the practical goes well this afternoon! 🙂
