Section 3 of the Academy's Basic and Clinical Science Course™ (BCSC^®) provides a comprehensive overview of clinical optics, including current applications of optical phenomena such as lasers, spectacles, IOLs, and refractive surgery. A chapter on vision rehabilitation addresses the wide range of vision rehabilitation interventions: smartphone accessibility features and apps, electronic magnification devices, audio devices, and various optical devices.

This section of the BCSC begins with a Quick-Start Guide, which includes an extensive discussion on retinoscopy. The Quick-Start Guide includes seven Try It Yourself! exercises on Hand Neutralization of Spherical and Cylindrical Lenses, Making a Practice Eye, and Detection of Astigmatism.

Nine videos (sample) to increase your understanding of human eye optics, basic concepts of geometric optics, ophthalmic instruments, and contact lenses. An animation video demonstrates a circularly polarized electromagnetic wave. Plus, a dynamic illustration allows modification of "live" drawings to experience the effects of changes in the positions of source objects and focal points. Both print and eBook users have access to the videos and activities.

Upon completion of Section 3, readers should be able to:

• Outline the principles of light propagation and image formation and work through some of the fundamental equations that describe or measure such properties as refraction, reflection, magnification, and vergence
• Define the various types of visual perception and function, including visual acuity, brightness sensitivity, color perception, and contrast sensitivity
• Explain the optical principles underlying various modalities of refractive correction: spectacles, contact lenses, intraocular lenses and refractive surgery

Section chair: Scott E. Brodie, MD, PhD
Last Major Revision: 2022-2023

Print: 416 pages

eBook: Read Academy eBooks online from nearly any computer, or download eBooks to your mobile device with the free Academy eBooks app. For eBook features, requirements and licensing, visit: aao.org/ebooks. Please allow up to 90 minutes for receiving an access key (via email) that will allow you to retrieve your eBook after purchase.

Print ISBN: 978-1-68104-785-0
eBook ISBN: 978-1-68104-811-6
Print & eBook ISBN: 978-1-68104-798-0

About the BCSC
The Academy’s Basic and Clinical Science Course™ is ophthalmology’s definitive source of clinical information. Practicing ophthalmologists and residents worldwide use the BCSC^® to ensure the highest-quality patient care.

Each of the 13 volumes includes up-to-date clinical knowledge, concise text, tables, photos and illustrations, multimedia, self-assessment questions with answers, and opportunities for earning AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™.

Beginning with the 2013–2014 edition, the Academy and the European Board of Ophthalmology (EBO) have partnered to make the BCSC the standard text for all European ophthalmology training programs. The EBO now recommends the BCSC as the primary educational resource for European trainees and ophthalmologists studying for the annual EBO Diploma Exam.

CME Information
The American Academy of Ophthalmology is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The American Academy of Ophthalmology designates this enduring material for a maximum of 15 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.