During medical school, our seniors often told us that the easiest way to remember something is to understand it. And rightly so, when I came across the Ophthalmology Lecture Notes textbook as a student I realised that the key to studying ophthalmology is simply understanding the basic pathophysiological and anatomical processes.
The Ophthalmology Lecture Notes series, up to the 12th edition, is one that is not intended to cover all of ophthalmology. Rather, it is aimed at students (especially those in final year) that want to understand the key, common ophthalmological presentations and conditions without reading too much outside of their undergraduate curriculum.At the start of each chapter, the book highlights the learning outcome(s) which allows you to tailor your learning according to your curriculum.
The initial chapters cover basic eye anatomy, followed by chapters covering the major ophthalmic history and examination in a clear, detailed manner. The other chapters are titled according to the relevant anatomical structure, e.g. the eyelids, the lacrimal system, etc. This edition also has chapters that cover trauma and tropical ophthalmology.
Throughout this book, the authors have supported their explanations with detailed figures and diagrams that illustrate the anatomy and physiology of the eye. Alongside the aesthetically pleasing font, each chapter is followed by a set of multiple-choice questions that can be attempted to consolidate your learning, thus making it useful for revision purposes.
The final chapter of the book is a compilation of clinical cases, covering adult, paediatric, common and acute presentations in ophthalmology. This is particularly useful if you are looking to learn or revise using a problem-based approach. If you are looking for a concise, visual guide for a solid foundation of ophthalmology or to revise key points before your finals, then this textbook is undoubtedly a worthy investment.
