Section 1 of the Academy's Basic and Clinical Science Course™ (BCSC®) provides thorough information on the general areas of medicine. This section covers endocrine disorders, cerebrovascular disease, infectious diseases, cancer, behavioral and neurologic disorders, and geriatrics.

BCSC Section 1 includes chapters on research to improve clinical practice, perioperative management in ocular surgery, and management of medical emergencies that the ophthalmologist might encounter.

To address an important and timely issue, this section begins with a Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) chapter, which covers the topic and categories of SDOH, as well as the impact of SDOH on patient wellness. There is a subsection on COVID-19 and a table on ocular side effects of biologics and targeted drugs. In addition, Ophthalmic Considerations boxes cover various ophthalmic topics, including tables and references, to help deepen the understanding of the concepts presented in this section.

BCSC Section 1 covers the latest recommendations for treating hypertension and hypercholesterolemia and includes four videos (sample), two of which demonstrate responses to in-office emergency situations. Both print and eBook users have access to videos.

Upon completion of Section 1, readers should be able to:

Describe the various factors to consider in critically reviewing clinical research

Explain the importance of the randomized controlled clinical study in evaluating the effects of new treatments

Describe the classification, pathophysiology, and presentation of diabetes, as well as the diagnostic criteria for this disease

Section chair: Herbert J. Ingraham, MD

Last Major Revision: 2023-2024