optical dispensing is the process of selecting, fitting, and delivering eyewear based on a vision prescription. It commonly includes eyeglass lenses, frames, and sometimes contact lenses or low-vision devices. It is used in optical shops, optometry clinics, and ophthalmology practices that provide eyewear services. This overview is informational and not medical advice.

contact lens service is the clinical evaluation, fitting, prescribing, and follow-up care related to contact lenses. It includes choosing a lens type, confirming safety and vision performance, and teaching handling and hygiene. It is commonly provided in optometry and ophthalmology clinics, and in specialty contact lens centers. It may be used for routine vision correction or for medical eye conditions that benefit from specialized lenses.

orthoptics is a clinical specialty focused on eye alignment, eye teaming, and binocular vision (using both eyes together). It is commonly used to assess and manage strabismus (eye misalignment), amblyopia (“lazy eye”), and double vision. orthoptics is practiced in eye clinics alongside ophthalmology and optometry. It includes both diagnostic testing and non-surgical treatments such as exercises, prisms, and occlusion strategies.

optometry is a healthcare field focused on vision, eye health, and how the eyes work together. It commonly involves eye exams, vision testing, and prescribing glasses or contact lenses. optometry also includes screening for eye disease and monitoring changes over time. It is used in community clinics, hospitals, and specialty eye care settings.

community eye care is eye and vision care delivered close to where people live, learn, and work. It combines prevention, screening, basic diagnosis, and referral into a coordinated local system. It is commonly used in primary care settings, schools, workplaces, and community clinics. It supports both routine vision needs and early detection of eye disease.

diabetic eye screening is a structured eye check used to look for diabetes-related damage inside the eye. It focuses on the retina (the light-sensing tissue at the back of the eye) and the macula (the central vision area). It is commonly used in diabetes care pathways, primary care referrals, and eye clinics. It aims to detect problems early, often before vision symptoms appear.

A screening clinic is a healthcare setting focused on checking for disease or risk factors before clear symptoms appear. In eye care, it commonly looks for conditions that can affect vision silently, such as glaucoma or diabetic eye disease. A screening clinic may be based in a hospital, community program, optometry practice, or mobile service. It typically uses standardized tests to decide who needs a full diagnostic eye exam or specialist care.

An ocular trauma service is a specialized clinical team that evaluates and treats injuries to the eye and surrounding tissues. It is commonly based in hospitals, emergency departments, and eye centers that manage urgent or complex eye problems. The goal is to protect vision, reduce complications, and coordinate timely follow-up when an eye injury occurs.

eye casualty is a hospital-based service for urgent and emergency eye problems. It is commonly used in the UK and some other health systems as a plain-language name for an ophthalmic emergency department or acute eye clinic. The service focuses on prompt assessment, triage (prioritising by urgency), and early treatment planning. It is separate from routine eye tests and planned outpatient appointments.

emergency eye care is rapid assessment and treatment for urgent eye symptoms or injuries. It focuses on problems that may threaten vision, eye health, or comfort if delayed. It is commonly delivered in eye clinics, urgent care settings, and hospital emergency departments. It may involve diagnosis, immediate treatment, and coordination with other medical services.

ocular genetics is the study of how genes influence eye development, vision, and eye disease. It explains why some eye conditions run in families and why others occur sporadically. It is commonly used in clinics to guide genetic testing, diagnosis, and counseling for inherited eye disorders. It also supports newer treatments that target specific genetic causes.

A low vision service is a set of clinical and rehabilitation supports for people with permanent vision loss that cannot be fully corrected with standard glasses, contact lenses, medication, or surgery. It focuses on improving day-to-day visual function rather than “curing” the underlying eye disease. It is commonly offered in ophthalmology and optometry clinics, hospital eye departments, and vision rehabilitation centers. It often combines device selection with practical training for reading, mobility, and daily activities.

cataract service is an organized set of eye-care visits and procedures focused on diagnosing and managing cataracts. It commonly includes clinic evaluation, surgical planning, cataract surgery, and postoperative follow-up. It is provided in ophthalmology practices, surgical centers, and hospitals, often with optometry co-management. Its goal is to address vision problems caused by a cloudy natural lens.

refractive surgery is a group of eye procedures designed to reduce dependence on glasses or contact lenses. It works by changing how the eye bends (refracts) light so images focus more clearly on the retina. It is commonly used to correct myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism. Some forms also aim to address presbyopia, the age-related loss of near focusing ability.

orbital surgery is surgery performed in or around the eye socket (the orbit). It is used to diagnose or treat problems involving the bones, muscles, nerves, and soft tissues that surround the eyeball. It is commonly done for trauma, tumors, inflammation, thyroid eye disease, and reconstruction. Depending on the condition, it may be performed by an ophthalmologist with orbital training, sometimes with other surgical teams.

oculoplastics is a subspecialty of ophthalmology focused on the eyelids, tear drainage system, and orbit (the bony eye socket). It includes both reconstructive and cosmetic care around the eyes and upper face. It is commonly used to improve eye comfort, protect the eye surface, and restore normal eyelid position or tear flow. It is also used to evaluate and treat lumps, swelling, and structural problems around the eye.

ocular oncology is the eye-care subspecialty focused on tumors of the eye and surrounding structures. It includes diagnosing (finding and characterizing) tumors and managing treatment and follow-up. It is commonly used in ophthalmology clinics, cancer centers, and multidisciplinary hospital teams. It also supports patients who need long-term monitoring after an eye tumor diagnosis.

A uveitis clinic is a specialized eye-care service focused on diagnosing and managing uveitis, which means inflammation inside the eye. It is commonly found within ophthalmology departments, eye hospitals, or large group practices, sometimes labeled “uveitis and ocular immunology.” A uveitis clinic often evaluates complex or recurrent “red eye,” blurry vision, floaters, or light sensitivity when inflammation is suspected. It may also coordinate care with other specialties when eye inflammation relates to systemic (whole-body) conditions.

vitreoretinal surgery is a group of eye operations that treat problems in the vitreous gel and the retina. It is commonly used to repair retinal damage, remove scar tissue, or manage bleeding inside the eye. These procedures are typically performed by a vitreoretinal surgeon (a subspecialist ophthalmologist). They are used in both urgent situations (like retinal detachment) and planned care (like macular conditions).

A retina service is a set of clinic and surgical care pathways focused on the retina, the light-sensing tissue lining the back of the eye. It is commonly provided in ophthalmology practices, hospitals, and specialty eye centers by retina-trained clinicians. A retina service may include diagnostic imaging, in-office procedures, and operating-room surgery for retinal and vitreous conditions.