When do Ophthalmology Residents learn the sophisticated lens math?

[Habeed]

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Perhaps I'm wrong about this, but I thought the math to describe the lens of the eye and the optics used for correction was fairly sophisticated. As in, a lot more in depth than anything covered in Physics 2 in college or on the MCATs. I would assume that ODs spend lots of time in Optometry school learning all of the complex details for the corrective lenses and the eye in general.

So, when do Ophthalmology residents pick this stuff up? I have this, possibly false, impression of an Ophthalmology residency being jam packed with taking care of patients. When do you learn all the lens stuff, and how to grind and maintain glasses, or select contacts lenses like ODs all know how to do? Does someone teach you the math or do you just pick it up by reading a few books on the subject?

I don't have a lot of interest in Ophthalmology, and I'm sure this question has been asked many times before. But searching these forums for "math" yielded no promising thread titles.

 

[orbitsurgMD]

Perhaps I'm wrong about this, but I thought the math to describe the lens of the eye and the optics used for correction was fairly sophisticated. As in, a lot more in depth than anything covered in Physics 2 in college or on the MCATs. I would assume that ODs spend lots of time in Optometry school learning all of the complex details for the corrective lenses and the eye in general.

So, when do Ophthalmology residents pick this stuff up? I have this, possibly false, impression of an Ophthalmology residency being jam packed with taking care of patients. When do you learn all the lens stuff, and how to grind and maintain glasses, or select contacts lenses like ODs all know how to do? Does someone teach you the math or do you just pick it up by reading a few books on the subject?

I don't have a lot of interest in Ophthalmology, and I'm sure this question has been asked many times before. But searching these forums for "math" yielded no promising thread titles.

Basic optics are covered in the Basic Science course. They are very basic.

Ophthalmology isn't optical bioengineering. It doesn't require lensmaking, either; that is a technical occupation of its own and to a lesser extent done in opticianry.

As for math, I use some trigonometry and geometry in calculating power and axis for compound prism fitting--but only rarely. I also use it for special fits in patients with severe convergence deficiencies, but that again is not common.
Old school cataract surgeons still know how to calculate IOL powers using the common algebraic equations derived from regression analysis, and can make thumbnail corrections for IOL placements besides in the capsular bag.

As for real math--lens design equations and theoretical lens designs, that isn't part of most daily practice (but it earned early optics pioneer and ophthalmologist Allvar Gullstrand the Nobel Prize.)