Ophthalmic Pathology

Ophthalmic Pathologists are a vital component of Academic Medical Centers because of their comprehensive knowledge about diseases of the eye. By teaching Ophthalmologists and trainees in Ophthalmology (residents and medical students) they contribute to the maintenance of high quality eye care. Numerous Ophthalmology training programs exist in the USA. The importance of Ophthalmic Pathology in Residency training programs in Ophthalmology is recognized by the American Board of Ophthalmology and the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education, which accredits Residency Training Programs. In the USA training experience in Ophthalmic Pathology is required for all Residents in Ophthalmology. Currently their training experience in ocular pathology "should be comprised of continuing intramural lectures, clinicopathological conferences and a minimum of 50 hours of laboratory experience in gross and microscopic examination of pathological specimens. This latter experience with a qualified pathologist may take place intramurally or extramurally at a laboratory considered by the Residency Review Committee to be capable of providing such training. If utilized, this extramural effort should occur during the 36 months of residency training, preferably early in the program, and would not be construed to be a substitute for the continuing intramural program. A short exposure to ophthalmic pathology at a remote course may supplement this training but will be not considered as a substitute for the pathology requirement".Ophthalmic Pathologists are able to provide the practicing Ophthalmologist with a tissue diagnosis and with information about the cause, pathogenesis and prognosis of ocular diseases.

Aside from helping the patient in this regard the Ophthalmic Pathologist contributes to quality control in hospitals by providing important information regarding complications of therapeutic interventions and in assessing the appropriateness of procedures. In addition Ophthalmic Pathologists contribute to the education of medical students by providing lectures and elective courses. Ophthalmic Pathologists contribute to and obtain Continuing Medical Education in their specialty by participating at meetings of various professional SOCIETIES. Aside from the diagnostic and teaching aspects of Ophthalmic Pathology, Ophthalmic Pathologists contribute to furthering knowledge about diseases of the Eye through research.

Many individuals have an interest in Ophthalmic Pathology and different degrees of knowledge on the subject. At present no organization provides an examination on competence in Ophthalmic Pathology and accreditation in the sub-specialty is not available. However, in order to issue reports on pathologic tissue in the USA certification by the American Board of Pathology or by the American Board of Ophthalmology with fellowship training specifically in Ophthalmic pathology is needed.

A discussion forum for academicians interested in various aspects of Ophthalmic Pathology (such as diagnostic work, research, higher education, scientific meetings) is available.

Most Ophthalmic Pathologists are employed by hospitals that specialize in diseases of the eye or major Tertiary Care Medical Centers, such as Duke University Medical Center. Duke University Medical Center Department of Pathology has two Pathologists with expertise in Ophthalmic Pathology and part of their academic activities involve research (Gordon K. Klintworth, M.D., Ph.D., Alan D. Proia, M.D, Ph.D and Thomas Cummings, M.D). Medical students have opportunities to perform research under the preceptorship of Drs. Klintworth or Proia.

Ophthalmic Pathologists who perform experimental studies present their scientific findings at meetings of societies such as the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, the International Society for Eye Research and at the Federation of American Societies of Experimental Biology.