ABC of Ophthalmology. Ophthalmic services in the NHS. Ophthalmologists and opticians.

t * 11 I O E I I groups: those with medical qualifications and those withoutophthalmologists and opticians respectively. Ao H L A Consultants in ophthalmology have to possess surgical qualifications. N T C O Most eye disorders, however, do not need purely surgical treatment, and H/>N T-OL A E T many are part of diseases of a general medical or neurological nature. The ( l L " E TI1 0 . | consultant's professional life is therefore generally a blend of sulgery, *medicine, and refraction. Refraction is important because abnormalities obstruct normal function and its assessment. m | .1 There are also many other doctors practising full-time or part-time