My name is Rachid, and I am a CEGEP student interested in ophthalmology and eye care. I have been in my program for 3 semesters. This glossary is made for students and anyone interested in learning more about ophthalmology.
Ophthalmology focuses on the eyes, vision, and eye diseases. This glossary can help readers understand medical vocabulary that may be difficult or unfamiliar. It contains 15 terms with their part of speech, a simple definition and pronunciation.
I chose common and important ophthalmology terms. I hope this glossary helps you understand the vocabulary used in eye care.
astigmatism
noun
A very common eye condition where an irregular curve in the cornea or lens causes blurry or distorted vision at all distances.
Example: My dog has astigmatism.
fr: astigmatisme
blindness
noun
The condition of being unable to see, ranging from partial impairment to total a lack of light perception.
Example: Some eye diseases can lead to blindness.
fr: aveuglement
cataract
noun
A medical condition where the natural, clear lens of the eye becomes cloudy or opaque, leading to blurred or decreased vision.
Example: A cataract can make vision blurry.
fr: cataracte
cornea
noun
Example: The cornea protects the front of the eye.
fr: cornée
glaucoma
noun
A group of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve, often due to high fluid pressure inside the eye.
Example: Glaucoma can damage the optic nerve.
fr: glaucome
hyperopia
noun
Hyperopia is the medical word for farsightedness, a common eye condition that makes close objects look blurry.
Example: Hyperopia can make nearby objects look blurry.
fr: hypermétropie
inflammatory
adjective
Relating to the biological process of swelling, redness, and pain in the body.
Example: The patient has an inflammatory eye condition.
fr: inflammatoire
iris
noun
The colored, circular part of the eye that controls light.
Example: The iris gives the eye its color.
fr: iris
myopia
noun
Myopia is the medical term for nearsightedness, a common eye condition where close-up objects look clear, but distant objects appear blurry.
Example: People with myopia have difficulty seeing far away.
fr: myopie
ophthalmologist
noun
A medical or osteopathic doctor who specializes in the total medical and surgical care of the eyes and vision.
Example: Tomorrow, the ophthalmologist will preform eye surgery on my sister.
fr: ophtalmologiste
optic nerve
noun
A cable-like bundle of more than one million nerve fibers that connects the back of each eye to the brain.
Example: The optic nerve sends signals from the eye to the brain.
fr: nerf optique
optometrist
noun
A licensed healthcare professional who provides primary vision care, tests eyesight, and diagnoses and treats eye disorders.
Example: I went to the optometrist for an eye exam.
fr: optométriste
pupil
noun
The pupil is the dark circle in the middle of your eye.
Example: The pupil gets smaller in bright light.
fr: pupille
retina
noun
A thin, light-sensitive layer of tissue that lines the inside back of the eye.
Example: The retina helps us see images.
fr: rétine
visual
noun
Visual means relating to seeing, sight, or things you can perceive with your eyes.
Example: The doctor performed a visual examination.
