Glossary
Abduction Turning the eye outwards. Acanthamoeba A genus of free-living amoeba.
Accommodation The ability of the lens to change shape to allow near objects to be focused on the retina.
Acne rosacea Disease of the skin characterised by bullous nose and erythema of the cheeks, forehead and nose.
Adduction Turning the eye inwards.
Afferent pupil defect A defect of the pupillary reflex in which shining a light in the affected eye will result in a dilatation of the pupil. This condition is due to an optic nerve lesion.
Reduced vision usually due to interference with the eye’s
Angles Alpha, Kappa and Gamma Different angles in the eye measured between the optic axis and the visual axis.
Aniridia Absence of the iris. Aphakia Absence of the lens.
Applanation tonometry Measurement of the intra-ocular pressure by flattening the cornea.
Arcus senilis Degenerative change in the cornea resulting in a white ring around the corneal circumference.
Argon laser Laser that uses photocoagulation. Astigmatism Uneven curvature of the cornea.
Binocular vision Co-ordinated use of both eyes resulting in a single vision. Biometry Measurement of the axial length of the eye (A-scan). Blepharitis Inflammation of the lid margin.
Blepharospasm Painful involuntary spasm of the eyelids.
Blind spot Optic disc where there are no nerve endings, only nerve fibres. Bullous keratopathy Oedema of the cornea causing ‘blister’ formation in the epithelium.
Buphthalmos Congenital glaucoma.
Burkitt’s lymphoma A malignant tumour of the lympathetic system affecting mainly children.
Canthus Outer and inner areas where the upper and lower lids meet. Capsulotomy Opening of the capsule of the lens.
Cartella shield Plastic shield to protect the eye. Caruncle Small fleshy area in inner corner of the eye.
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Cataract Opacity of the lens.
Central field/vision Area of vision when looking straight ahead. Chalazion Meibomian gland cyst. Internal hordeolum. Chemosis Oedema of the conjunctiva.
Chlamydia Chronic conjunctivitis caused by serotypes D–K of Chlamydia trachomatis.
Commotio retinae Oedema of the retina following trauma.
Concave lens A lens which diverges light rays, used to correct myopia: a ‘minus’ lens.
Concretion Lipid deposit in the conjunctiva.
Convex lens A lens which converges light rays, used to correct hypermetropia: a ‘plus’ lens.
Cool laser Procedure similar to phacoemulsification but uses ‘cool laser’ shock waves to fragment the lens.
Cover test A test for determining the presence of phoria or trophia. Cycloplegia Paralysis of the ciliary muscles.
Cylindrical lens A lens of cylindrical shape, which refracts light rays in various directions in different meridians, used to correct astigmatism. Dacryoadenitis Inflammation of the lacrimal gland.
Dacryocystitis Inflammation of the lacrimal sac.
Dacryocystorhinostomy An operation to make a passage from the lacrimal sac into the nose to overcome an obstruction.
A branching ulcer of the cornea caused by the herpes
Descemetocele Protrusion of Descemet’s membrane through the stroma and epithelium of the cornea.
Dioptre Unit of measurement of strength of the refractive power of the eye, or lenses, expressed as a fraction of a metre.
Diplopia Double vision.
Disciform keratitis Inflammation of the cornea as a complication of herpes simplex virus.
Distichiasis Double row of eyelashes.
Drusen Small yellow nodule in Bruch’s membrane, or optic nerve. Ectropion Turning out of the eyelid.
Electroretinogram A recording of electrical activity of the retina. Emmetropia Absence of refractive error.
Endophthalmitis Inflammation/infection of inner structures of the eye. Enophthalmos Displacement of the eyeball downwards.
Entropion Turning inwards of the lid margin.
Enucleation Removal of the eyeball and length of optic nerve. Epicanthus Broad fold of skin in inner canthus.
Epilation Removal of an eyelash. Epiphora Watering eye.
Episcleritis Inflammation of the episcleral vessels.
Evisceration Removal of the contents of the eyeball, leaving the sclera intact.
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Excimer laser Laser used for corneal surgery, e.g. for correcting refractive errors or removing corneal scars.
Exenteration Removal of the contents of the orbit, including the eyeball and lids.
Exophthalmometer Instrument for measuring the degree of protrusion of an eye.
Exophthalmos Protrusion of one or both eyes – usually refers to that caused by thyroid eye disease.
Extracapsular lens extraction Removal of the anterior lens capsule, the cortex and nucleus but leaving the posterior lens capsule intact.
Field of vision The entire area that can be seen without moving the eye. Fields of gaze The different areas that can be seen when moving the eye in all directions.
Fixation The eyes are fixed on an object centrally at a chosen distance. Floaters Small, dark particles in the vitreous.
Follicles Dome shaped elevations on the palpebral conjunctiva containing lymphocytes. Follicles are avascular.
Fresnel prism Thin transparent plastic disc which is attached to a pair of glasses to eliminate diplopia.
Fuch’s dystrophy Disorder of the descemet membrance of the cornea with wart like deposits and thickening. Defect in the endotheliun is also noted. Fundus Posterior aspect of the retina including the optic disc and the macula.
Fusion Co-ordinating the images seen by both eyes into a single image. Glaucoma A group of conditions characterised by an increased intra-ocular pressure sufficient to damage vision.
Gonioscope A contact lens mirror used to view the anterior chamber angle. Guttae (G.) Eyedrops.
Hemianopia Half-vision – unilateral or bilateral. Heterochromia Different coloured irises in one person.
Hess chart A chart for measuring and classifying strabismus. Hordeolum Internal, see Chalazion; external, see Stye.
Hydroxyapatite implant Derived material from coral used as an implant in enucleation.
Hypermetropia Long sight.
Hyphaema Blood in the anterior chamber. Hypopyon Pus in the anterior chamber.
Indocyanine green Newer dye than fluorescein sodium which gives better information on the choroidal circulation and is particularly helpful in the diagnosis of choroidal neovascular membrances.
Imber-Fick law States that the intra-ocular pressure (P in mmHg) is equal to the tonometer weight (W) divided by the applanated area of the cornea. This is applicable for applanation tonometry.
Injection Degree of redness of the conjunctiva.
Interpupillary distance (IPD) The distance between the two pupils. Intracapsular lens extraction Removal of the entire lens including the anterior and posterior capsules.
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Interstitial keratitis Inflammation of the cornea due to syphilis. Iridectomy Removal of a piece of the iris.
Iridodialysis Severance of the iris from the ciliary body.
Iridodonesis Quivering of iris following intra-capsular cataract extraction. Iridotomy A hole in the iris, usually performed by the laser beam.
Iris bombe Bulging forward of the iris.
Iris prolapse A section of the iris prolapsing through a wound, either surgical or traumatic.
Iritis Inflammation of the iris.
Ishihara colour plates Multicoloured charts for testing colour vision. Kaposi’s sarcoma Vascular tumour of HIV patients appearing as multiple purple to red nodules on the skin and mucous membrances.
Keratitic precipitates Plaques of protein adhered to the corneal endothelium in uveitis.
Keratitis Inflammation of the cornea.
Keratoconus Conical-shaped deformity of the cornea.
Keratometer Instrument for measuring the curvature of the cornea. Lacrimation Production of tears.
Lagophthalmos Incomplete closure of the eyelids. Lamellar graft Partial thickness corneal graft.
Laser Light Amplification by stimulated emission of radiation. Energy transmitted as heat.
Laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) A surgical procedure to correct myopia, hypermetropia and astigmatism by creating a corneal flap. Lensectomy Removal of the entire lens and capsule including an anterior segment of the vitreous using specialised equipment.
Molluscum contagiosum Viral infection of the skin occuring on the face or eyelids manifested by a shiny, raised skin nodule.
Microphthalmos Small eyeball.
Miotic Drug that constricts the pupil. Mydriatic Drug that dilates the pupil. Myopia Short sight.
Needling A procedure used to remove soft lens matter on an infant or child.
Occulentum (Oc.) Eye ointment.
Operculum A semi-circular tear in the retina, covered with a flap of retina. Ophthalmia neonatorum Severe conjunctivitis of the newborn. Ophthalmoplegia Paralysis of the extra-ocular muscles. Ophthalmoscope Instrument for examining the retina.
Optic axis The line through the centre of the optical structures of the eye.
Osteo-odonto-keraprosthesis surgery A type of surgical technique where patient’s own tooth root and aveolar bone are used instead of conventional corneal graft technique.
Pachymetry A technique to measure the corneal thickness by using a pachometer.
Palpebral Pertaining to the eyelids.
Papillae Tiny elevation seen on palpebral conjunctiva with vascular cores.
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Pemphigoid An autoimmune disease of the elderly characterised by chronic itchy blistering usually on the limbs.
Pannus Neovascularisation of the cornea. Panophthalmitis Inflammation of the whole eyeball. Penetrating graft Full-thickness corneal graft. Perimeter Instrument for measuring the field of vision.
Peripheral vision/field Area of vision outside central field of vision. PGD Patient group directions.
Phacoemulsification Removal of cataract by ultrasound, breaking down lens matter prior to it being aspirated.
Phacolytic lens Lens matter leaking out giving rise to uveitis and secondary glaucoma.
Phasing Regular frequent measurements of intra-ocular pressure over a few days.
Phlyctenule Small vesicle of allergic origin on limbal area of conjunctiva and/or cornea.
Photophobia Sensitivity to light. Photopsia Sensation of flashing lights.
Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) Correction of refractive errors using excimer laser.
Phthisis bulbi Shrunken eyeball.
Pinguecula A yellowish overgrowth of conjunctiva.
Placido’s disc A disc with alternating black and white rings for reflecting onto the cornea to detect any irregularity in its curvature.
Presbyopia Inability to focus for near sight due to hardening of the lens nucleus after the age of 40 years.
Preseptal callulitis Inflammation of preseptal portion of eyelids. Prism A triangular-shaped lens used to correct diplopia. Proptosis Protrusion of the eyeball.
Pterygium A triangular proliferation of conjunctival tissue that can invade the cornea.
Ptosis Drooping eyelid.
Radial keratotomy A surgical procedure consisting of radial incisions to the cornea used to correct myopia.
Refraction (1) Bending of light rays; (2) Measurement of and correction of refractive errors of the eye.
Refractive surgery Corneal surgery to correct refractive errors.
Reiter’s syndrome A condition characterised by inflammation of the conjunctiva, urethra and polyarthritis. This condition usually affects young males.
Retinal detachment Separation of the epithelial layer of the retina from its neural layers.
Retinitis pigmentosa A hereditary degeneration of the retina. Retinoblastoma Highly malignant tumour of the retina in infancy. Retinopathy Non-inflammatory disease of the retina.
Retinopathy of prematurity A vasoproliferative retinopathy occurring in premature infants.
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Retinoscope Instrument for objective assessment of refractive errors. Retrobulbar Behind the eyeball.
Retropunctal cautery Cautery applied behind the punctum to cause fibrosis and inturning of the lower lid.
Rhodopsin Light-sensitive pigment of the rods in the retina – ‘visual purple’.
Rodding of fornices Passing a glass rod in either fornix. Rubeosis irides Neovascularisation of the iris.
Scleritis Inflammation of the sclera. Scleromalacia Degeneration of the sclera. Scotoma An area of visual loss in the visual field.
Siedel test A test to ascertain leakage of aqueous through a section or perforative wound using fluorescein drops.
Sturge-Weber syndrome Red discolouration of the skin often referred to as ‘port wine stain’ which is present at birth and which is permanent. Sjögren’s syndrome Syndrome comprising arthritis, dry eyes, dysphagia and achlorhydria.
Snellen chart A chart consisting of graded letters, symbols or numbers for testing central vision.
Specular photomicroscopy Special mounted slit lamp camera which allows the corneal endothelium to be photographed and counted.
Squint Strabismus Deviation of one eye. Staphyloma A protrusion of the cornea or sclera. Stereopsis Perception of depth with binocular vision.
Stevens–Johnson syndrome Acute mucocutaneous vesiculobullous disease.
Strabismus See Squint.
Stye Inflammation of one lash follicle. External hordeolum.
Superficial punctate keratitis Superficial spots of inflammation of the cornea which stain with G. fluorescein.
Symblephron Adhesion of the bulbar and palpebral conjunctiva. Sympathetic ophthalmitis Severe uveitis in one eye following trauma involving the uvea of the other eye.
Synaechiae adhesion of the iris (a) to the lens – posterior synaechiae; (b) to the cornea – anterior synaechiae.
Tarsorrhaphy Suturing together of the eyelids. Tear film The film of fluid covering the eyeball.
Tenon’s capsule Membrane encircling globe from limbus to optic nerve overlying the sclera.
Tomography Computerised scan of the optic disc. Tonometer Instrument for measuring intra-ocular pressure. Topography A contour map of the curvature of the cornea. Toric contact lens Contact lens to correct astigmatism.
Trachoma Potentially blinding infection of the conjunctiva and cornea caused by the TRIC virus.
Trichiasis Ingrowing or inturning of eyelashes. Uveitis Inflammation of the uveal tract.
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Visual acuity Detailed central vision.
Visual axis The line between a point viewed and the macula. Visual field Area of vision.
Vitrectomy Removal of vitreous. Xanthelasma Fatty deposits on the eyelids.
Xerophthalmia Lack of vitamin A resulting in corneal and conjunctival disease.
Yag laser Laser that cuts holes in structures.