Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases associated with progressive damage to the optic nerve. Some forms of glaucoma develop without obvious early symptoms, making professional screening especially important for high-risk patients.

Risk factors may include:

• Increased intraocular pressure
• Family history of glaucoma
• Older age
• High myopia
• Previous eye injury
• Long-term use of certain medications
• Diabetes or other systemic diseases

A glaucoma assessment may include intraocular-pressure measurement, optic-nerve imaging, visual-field testing, corneal-thickness measurement and examination of the eye’s drainage angle.

Depending on the type and severity of the condition, treatment may involve:

• Prescription eye drops
• Regular monitoring
• Laser treatment
• Minimally invasive glaucoma procedures
• Conventional glaucoma surgery

The purpose of treatment is generally to slow or prevent further optic-nerve damage. Vision already lost because of glaucoma may not be recoverable, which makes early detection and continued follow-up important.

The retina is the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. Retinal disorders can affect central vision, peripheral vision or both.

Patients may seek specialist assessment for:

• Diabetic retinopathy
• Age-related macular degeneration
• Retinal tears
• Retinal detachment
• Macular holes
• Epiretinal membranes
• Retinal-vein occlusion
• Vitreous haemorrhage
• Inherited retinal disorders
• Sudden flashes, floaters or loss of vision

Retinal evaluation may involve dilated examination, fundus photography, optical coherence tomography, angiography or ocular ultrasound.

Depending on the diagnosis, available treatment directions may include:

• Observation and regular imaging
• Intravitreal injections
• Retinal laser treatment
• Vitrectomy
• Retinal-detachment surgery
• Management of diabetes and other underlying conditions

Patients experiencing sudden vision loss, a curtain-like shadow, rapidly increasing floaters or flashing lights should seek urgent ophthalmic evaluation rather than waiting for routine medical-travel arrangements.

The cornea is the transparent front surface of the eye. Its clarity and shape are essential for normal vision.

Corneal and ocular-surface consultations may address:

• Dry-eye disease
• Corneal infections
• Keratoconus
• Corneal scarring
• Corneal dystrophies
• Recurrent corneal erosion
• Chemical or traumatic eye injuries
• Pterygium
• Ocular-surface inflammation
• Complications from previous contact-lens use

A treatment plan may include medication, lubricating eye drops, management of eyelid conditions, therapeutic contact lenses, corneal cross-linking, laser treatment or surgery when clinically appropriate.

Complex corneal conditions may require a specialist experienced in corneal surgery or transplantation. Corneal transplantation replaces damaged or clouded corneal tissue in selected patients, but eligibility depends on the diagnosis and the condition of the remaining structures of the eye.

Chinese scientists are pioneers in using CRISPR to modify pig organs, making them more compatible with the human immune system, aiming to solve the global donor shortage.- Source: Xijing Hospital, Air Force Military Medical University

Refractive errors occur when the eye does not focus light correctly.

Common refractive conditions include:

• Myopia
• Hyperopia
• Astigmatism
• Presbyopia

Treatment options may include glasses, contact lenses or refractive procedures.

For children and adolescents with progressive myopia, ophthalmologists may recommend regular monitoring and individualized myopia-management strategies.

For adults interested in reducing dependence on glasses, a specialist evaluation may consider:

• Corneal thickness and shape
• Stability of the prescription
• Tear-film condition
• Pupil size
• Retinal health
• Age and visual requirements
• Previous eye disease or surgery

Depending on the selected eye institution and the patient’s eligibility, possible refractive options may include:

• Laser vision-correction consultation
• LASIK-related assessment
• Surface laser procedures
• Small-incision lenticule procedures
• Implantable lens consultation
• Lens-based vision correction

No refractive procedure is suitable for every patient. Final eligibility can only be confirmed after a complete examination at the receiving hospital or eye centre.

Children’s vision develops during the early years of life. Certain eye conditions can affect visual development if they are not identified and managed promptly.

Pediatric ophthalmology consultations may address:

• Childhood myopia
• Amblyopia
• Strabismus
• Congenital cataracts
• Blocked tear ducts
• Drooping eyelids
• Abnormal eye movement
• Developmental vision problems
• Eye conditions related to premature birth
• Genetic or inherited eye diseases

An examination may include assessment of visual development, eye alignment, focusing ability and the health of internal eye structures.

Treatment may involve glasses, patching, medication, vision monitoring or surgery, depending on the diagnosis.

Parents seeking treatment in China should provide previous prescriptions, vision-testing records and details of any earlier treatment.

Strabismus occurs when the eyes are not properly aligned.

It may be present from childhood or develop later because of nerve disorders, trauma, thyroid disease or other medical conditions.

Evaluation may include:

• Eye-alignment measurement
• Eye-movement assessment
• Binocular-vision testing
• Neurological evaluation when required
• Imaging or systemic medical assessment

Treatment may involve glasses, prism lenses, observation, management of an underlying condition or eye-muscle surgery.

Complex adult-onset strabismus may require collaboration between ophthalmology, neurology, endocrinology and medical imaging departments.

Oculoplastic ophthalmology focuses on the eyelids, tear-drainage system and tissues surrounding the eye.

Possible consultation areas include:

• Drooping eyelids
• Eyelid malposition
• Eyelid lumps or lesions
• Blocked tear ducts
• Persistent tearing
• Orbital inflammation
• Thyroid eye disease
• Eye injuries
• Reconstructive surgery around the eye
• Functional eyelid surgery

Treatment planning should consider both visual function and the protection of the eye.

Patients seeking cosmetic eyelid treatment should also receive proper ophthalmic assessment when the procedure may affect eyelid closure, tear function or ocular-surface health.

The eyes can be affected by diseases involving other parts of the body.

Examples include:

• Diabetes
• Hypertension
• Autoimmune diseases
• Thyroid disease
• Neurological disorders
• Blood disorders
• Infectious diseases
• Cancer and cancer treatment
• Long-term medication use

Patients with complex medical histories may need coordinated evaluation from ophthalmologists and other specialists.

This is one advantage of receiving care through a comprehensive hospital: eye specialists can work with endocrinology, neurology, cardiology, rheumatology, imaging, laboratory medicine and other departments when necessary.