Undergraduate Text Book of OPHTHALMOLOGY with Free MCQ Booklet

The landscape of medical education is undergoing a transformative shift, with the introduction of the Competency-Based Medical Education (CBME) framework under the guidance of the National Medical Commission (NMC), India. This paradigm shift emphasizes not just the acquisition of knowledge, but the development of practical skills, appropriate aptitudes, and ethical grounding that are essential for a medical graduate to function effectively as a primary health care physician. 

In this context, we are pleased to present this CBME-aligned textbook of Ophthalmology, specifically designed for undergraduate medical students. This book has 24 chapters which have been contributed by 19 faculties from different medical colleges of West Bengal as well as from other states of India. Each chapter is aligned with specific competencies as listed in the official undergraduate medical education curriculum. The content emphasizes core learning objectives, skill acquisition, and self-directed learning, and formative assessment — the central pillars of CBME.

The book has been systematically divided into five sections :

Section A deals with basics in ophthalmology, which includes ocular embryology, anatomy, physiology and neurology of vision.

Section B deals with basic optics & refraction.

Section C deals with clinical ophthalmology that covers ocular diseases.

Section D incorporates practical ophthalmology that comprises history taking and examination, ocular therapeutics, diagnostic and investigation procedures in ophthalmology, ophthalmic instruments and OT sterilization.

Section E covers community ophthalmology and a miscellaneous chapter in which we have incorporated contents which we felt can help students to fetch better marks in final examination as well as various competitive examinations.

Features of this Textbook :

1. Integration and Alignment : The textbook connects ophthalmological concepts with related fields such as neurology, internal medicine, pediatrics, and community medicine. 

2. Simplified and Student-Friendly Language : Diagrams, flowcharts, and clinical photographs have been incorporated to enhance visual learning and retention.

3. Self-Assessment and Formative Tools : Each chapter concludes with a variety of assessment tools, short answer questions (SAQs), long answer questions (LAQs), and points to remember.

4. Emphasis on National Health Priorities : Common causes of avoidable blindness, such as cataract, refractive errors, and diabetic retinopathy, are given special emphasis in accordance with national programs like NPCB (National Programme for Control of Blindness), Public health aspects and preventive ophthalmology.

5. Competency Mapping : Complete list of mapped competencies are provided as per NMC curriculum, categorized into knowledge (K), skills (S), and attitude/communication/ethics (AETCOM). 

6. Preparation for Post graduate entrance : Separate booklets are provided for MCQs.

We sincerely hope that the book will be useful to medical students, ophthalmology residents, optometrists to understand ophthalmology and also a great inclusion in their armamentarium for examination purpose.

Inspite of our best efforts, the book may have some inaccuracies; feedback from teachers, students will be most welcome.