keratoplasty Any of several types of corneal surgery, such as shrinking the collagen to reduce farsightedness or transplanting a new cornea to treat
keratoconus.
keratotomy Incision of the cornea.
lacrimal plug Also called punctal plug. Device to block the lacrimal punctum (an opening at the end of a tear duct), to keep the eye moist.
laser photocoagulation Procedure in which a surgeon uses a laser to coagulate tissue, usually to seal leaking blood vessels and destroy new ones in diseases like macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy.
LASEK (Laser Epithelial Keratomileusis) Procedure that is similar to LASIK, except that the surgeon cuts a flap in the epithelium only, instead of through the epithelium and part of the stroma. LASEK is used mostly for people with thin or flat corneas who are poor candidates for LASIK, which requires more corneal tissue for success.
LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis) Surgical procedure in which a tiny flap
is cut in the top of the cornea, underlying corneal tissue is removed with an excimer laser, and
the flap is put back in place. LASIK corrects
myopia,
hyperopia,
astigmatism, and
presbyopia through
monovision.
Read our LASIK article.
lateral rectus muscle Muscle that moves the eye away from the nose.
lead poisoning Condition resulting from excessive
levels of lead in the body. Typically, children get lead poisoning from chewing
or sucking on lead paint in older homes (lead paint was banned in the 70s). Some
people remain symptom-free, but others may suffer convulsions, paralysis,
learning difficulties or abdominal and other pain. Some people can also develop vision loss.
Leber's congenital amaurosis Inherited condition
characterized by vision loss or blindness at birth or shortly thereafter. The
exact cause is unknown, but doctors believe that the retina may degenerate, or
that its photoreceptors may not develop properly. Nystagmus
is a common symptom.
lens 1. The nearly spherical body in the eye, located behind
the cornea,
that focuses light rays onto the retina.
2. A device used to focus light into the eye in order to magnify or minify images,
or otherwise correct visual problems. Eyeglass lenses, contact lenses, and intraocular lenses
are examples. Sometimes a lens provides only a cosmetic benefit, as in non-correcting
color contacts,
special effect contacts, or contacts that
hide a disfigurement of the eye. Other times a lens protects the eye, as in safety glasses or sunglasses. A bandage contact lens may be
applied after eye surgery. And contact lenses used in
ortho-k or corneal refractive therapy are designed to reshape the cornea for better
vision when the lens is removed.
lens dislocation Full or partial displacement of the eye's lens.
Dislocation is often caused by trauma to the eye or head, but may also be
inherited or come as the result of certain systemic conditions, such as Marfan's syndrome or homocystinuria.
Blurred vision is a typical symptom, and some people may experience double vision and/or develop glaucoma.
leukocoria White pupil. Causes include
congenital cataract, retinoblastoma, intraocular infection, Coat's disease and
retinopathy of prematurity.
limbal relaxing incisions A surgical procedure, often
performed during cataract surgery, which corrects usually mild
astigmatism by flattening the curvature of the eye's
clear surface (cornea). Limbal relaxing incisions are
inserted at the boundary (limbus) separating the cornea
from the white of the eye (sclera). By altering this portion
of the eye instead of the center, surgeons are able to preserve the surface and optical qualities of the cornea.
limbus Boundary area connecting the cornea and sclera; the three form the eye's outermost layer.
lipid Organic compound that is oily, fatty, or waxy and commonly found in living
cells. Lipids are one component of human tears, forming an oily outer layer that
helps keep the eye moisturized by reducing evaporation of the watery and mucus
layers beneath it. Lipids can collect on contact lenses, making them uncomfortable.
liver spot Benign dark spot on the skin, usually brown, that
is associated with exposure to sunlight. Liver spots tend to increase in size.
low vision Also called partial sight. Sight that cannot be satisfactorily corrected with glasses, contacts, or surgery.
Low vision usually results from an eye disease such as glaucoma or macular degeneration.
LTK (Laser Thermal Keratoplasty) Also called Laser Thermokeratoplasty. Surgery to correct mild farsightedness in people over 40; the doctor uses a holmium laser to heat the cornea and shrink its collagen.
lupus erythematosus Inflammatory skin disorder.
The exact cause is unknown, but some people appear to have a genetic
predisposition to developing lupus, and it is much more common in women than
men. Systemic symptoms vary depending on the type of lupus, but red patches on
the cheeks are common. When lupus affects the eyes, it can have such symptoms as a
red or pink lid, a spot or scale on the lid that may change in pigment
(generally losing pigment except for darker color marking the border of the
spot), eyelash loss, dry eye syndrome, migraine
headaches, uveitis, scleritis, conjunctivitis and retinal
vascular occlusion (blockage in the retina's vascular system).
lutein An antioxidant that is found throughout the body, but is concentrated in the macula. Lutein is
believed to help protect the eyes from free radical damage caused by the sun's harmful rays.
macula Part of the eye near the middle of the retina; the macula allows us to see objects with great detail.
macular degeneration Disorder characterized by
changes in the eye's macula that result in the
gradual loss of central vision. The exact cause is unknown, but appears to
be related to a genetic predisposition, smoking and several other risk factors. Central vision
may be blurred, distorted (metamorphopsia) or
shadowy before vision loss occurs.
macular hole Hole in the eye's macula; many doctors believe it can be caused by vitreous shrinkage as we age. Symptoms include blurring or a blind spot in central vision and metamorphopsia.
maculopathy Disease of the macula, such as age-related macular degeneration.
madarosis Eyelash or eyebrow loss. Causes include infections, metabolic disorders, blepharitis, certain drugs, lupus erythematosus and trauma.
medial rectus muscle Muscle that moves the eye toward the nose.
meibomian gland Gland found in the eyelid that produces the oily outer layer of the three-layer tear film that lubricates the eye.
meibomianitis Inflammation of the meibomian glands; rosacea is a common cause. Symptoms include red or pink eyelid margins, a red or pink eye, dryness, burning, blurred vision and a swollen eye.
melanin Pigment that colors the iris of the eye as well as other parts of the body, including skin and hair.
melanosis Condition characterized by melanin (pigment) deposits in the skin or eyes.
meningitis Inflammation of the meninges, membranes that envelope the brain and spinal cord. Viruses and bacteria can cause meningitis. Symptoms include fever, headache, vomiting, a stiff neck and light sensitivity.
metamorphopsia Vision problem in which objects appear distorted. For example, straight lines may appear to be wavy, curved or bent, objects may appear to be larger or smaller than they actually are, or closer or farther away than they actually are. Metamorphopsia is typically caused by conditions or diseases that affect the eye's macula and retina.
microcornea Abnormally small cornea.
microkeratome Small instrument that surgeons use to cut the cornea.
microphthalmia Congenital defect resulting in an abnormally small eye or eyes. The cause is usually unknown. Microphthalmia typically results in blindness or reduced vision, but normal vision is possible if the eyes are nearly normal in size.
migraine Severe headache, sometimes accompanied by nausea and visual disturbances. Visual disturbances alone are also possible; this problem is called an ophthalmic migraine, or migraine without headache. Eye and vision symptoms include blurred vision, ptosis, halos around lights, light flashes, light sensitivity, eye pain or discomfort, vision loss (blind spots in central vision, tunnel vision or overall impaired vision), distorted vision and wavy lines in vision.
mixed astigmatism Abnormal curvature of the eye's surface (cornea) that causes focusing problems at both near and distant ranges. For more information, please see our astigmatism article.
monochromatic Refers to one wavelength of light, as opposed to the many wavelengths of light found in varying colors.
monovision Vision correction method for those with
presbyopia in which one eye is corrected
for near vision and the other for far, either through contact lenses or refractive surgery.
Monovision eliminates the need for reading glasses, but does have some drawbacks, including decreased depth perception.
Read our article about monovision with contact lenses.
mucormycosis Fungal infection typically
occurring in the sinuses or lungs and mainly acquired by those with compromised
immune systems and by diabetics. Symptoms include sinusitis, eye and
facial pain, fever, a bulging eye and vision loss.
multifocal Type of spectacle or contact lens design that includes more than one focal area, such as
bifocals or trifocals.
myasthenia gravis Weakness of the voluntary
muscles, believed to be autoimmune in nature. Symptoms include double vision and eyelid ptosis; patients sometimes have non-eye symptoms as well, such as
difficulty swallowing or using the arms and legs.
myokymia Common eyelid twitch typically
brought on by stress or fatigue.
myopia Also called nearsightedness. Condition in which the length of the eye is too
long, causing light rays to focus in front of the retina rather than on it, resulting in blurred distance vision.
Additional symptoms include eyestrain, poor night vision and squinting.
nearsightedness Also called myopia. Condition in which visual images come to a focus in front of the retina, resulting in defective vision of distant objects.
neovascularization Abnormal growth of new blood vessels, such as in an excessive amount,
or in tissue that normally does not contain them, or of a different kind than is usual in that tissue.
Also see angiogenesis.
neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis Rare,
hereditary, degenerative disease in which the body does not store pigments
called lipofuscins properly; the disease is characterized by vision loss,
seizures and dementia. Types include Santavuori-Haltia (infantile),
Jansky-Bielschowsky (late infantile), Spielmeyer-Vogt (juvenile) and Kufs'
disease (adult). Some types may also be called Batten disease.
neuroretinitis Inflammation of the optic
nerve and retina, commonly caused by an infection. Symptoms include blurred vision,
headache, floaters, eye pain or discomfort, vision loss
and loss of color vision.
nevus Birthmark, freckle or mole. Nevi are often brownish,
but can be other colors as well, such as blue, black, reddish or skin-colored.
Nevi can be raised or flat. The exact cause is unknown, but genetics and
sunlight exposure appear to be factors. Some people also have freckles on the
iris and/or retina.
nickel Metallic element used mainly in alloys. Many eyeglass frames are made of nickel alloy, so people who are allergic should choose a hypoallergenic substitute, such as titanium.
nose pad One of a pair of pads, usually clear, that rest on either side of your nose and help to support your glasses.
nystagmus Rapid and involuntary eye movement
that is oscillating and non-chaotic. Blurred vision may result. Nystagmus typically affects infants and has
a variety of causes.
OD (oculus dexter) Right eye. Or, doctor of optometry.
ocular herpes Recurrent viral infection that can cause inflammation and scarring of the cornea.
It is not sexually transmitted. There are various types of ocular herpes, ranging from herpes keratitis to
more serious forms that can lead to blindness. See our eye herpes article for more details.
ocular hypertension Condition in which the intraocular pressure of the eye is elevated above normal and which may lead to glaucoma.
ocular migraine Visual phenomena that may accompany a migraine headache or that may occur without any headache.
They include light flashes, spots, wavy lines, flickers, zig-zagging lights, semi-circular or crescent-shaped visual defects
and distortions of shapes. See our ocular migraine article for more details.
onchocerciasis Commonly called "river blindness," onchocerciasis is caused by a parasitic worm, which is spread
in the human bloodstream through bites from blackflies and buffalo gnats found in parts of Africa, South America, and Central America.
The worm's offspring cause inflammation, bleeding, and other problems in the eye.
Without a 15-year regimen of annual doses of Mectizan, blindness will result.
(Information supplied by ORBIS International.)
ophthalmologist A medical doctor (MD) who specializes in the eye.
Ophthalmologists perform eye exams, treat disease, prescribe medication, and perform surgery. They may also write
prescriptions for eyeglasses and contact lenses.
ophthalmoplegia Eye muscle paralysis. Causes include stroke, multiple sclerosis, a tumor, thyroid disease, migraines
and progressive supranuclear palsies.
Symptoms can include limited eye movement, blurred vision, double vision,
nystagmus and ptosis. Tolosa-Hunt Syndrome, often called
"painful ophthalmoplegia," is characterized by intense pain behind the
eye and a headache.
opsoclonus Rapid and involuntary eye
movement that is irregular and chaotic; sometimes called "dancing
eyes." Typically seen in Opsoclonus-Myoclonus Syndrome.
optical coherence tomography A method of imaging that, in ophthalmology,
uses light waves to provide cross-sectional views of interior eye structures. Also known as OCT.
optician In the United States,
opticians are not doctors, but in some states they must complete training and
be licensed. And in some states they can, after special training, become certified
to fit contact lenses.
(Please visit the Opticians Association of America website
for licensing requirements for various states.)
Most opticians sell and fit eyeglasses, sunglasses, and specialty
eyewear that are made to an optometrist's or ophthalmologist's
prescription. Many also have equipment on the premises so they
can grind lenses and put them in frames without ordering from a lab.
optic nerve Part of the eye that carries stimuli from the rods and cones to the brain.
optic nerve head Also called optic disk. Circular area where the optic nerve enters the retina, and the location of the eye's blind spot.
optic nerve problem The optic nerve (second
cranial nerve) is the part of the eye that carries stimuli from the rods and
cones to the brain. Problems such as inflammation (optic neuritis), tumors and
swelling can lead to symptoms such as: blurred vision, loss of color vision, floaters, headache, eye pain or discomfort, nausea and vision loss.
optometrist Doctors of optometry (ODs) examine eyes for both vision and health
problems, prescribe glasses, and fit contact lenses. They can prescribe many ophthalmic medications and may participate
in your pre- and postoperative care if you have eye surgery. ODs must complete four years of post-graduate optometry
school for their doctorate.
orbit Eye socket.
orbital pseudotumor An inflammatory mass in the
tissues around or behind the eye that looks like and mimics the symptoms of a tumor. The cause is unknown. The
primary symptom is a painful, bulging eye. You may also experience pain or discomfort around the eye.
orthokeratology (ortho-k) Procedure in which a doctor fits you with special gas permeable contact lenses to reshape your cornea and correct errors like nearsightedness. Often, patients wear the lenses just at night.
OS (oculus sinister) Left eye.
osteopetrosis Rare, hereditary disease in which the bones are too
dense. Common symptoms include bone pain and fractures. Retinal degeneration may
occur; it results in vision loss.
OU (oculus uterque, oculus unitas or oculus uniter) Both eyes.
overconvergence Condition in which the eyes come too far inward when focusing on a near object, resulting in blurring.
overflow tearing Common congenital condition in infants and
developmental condition in older adults caused by a blocked tear duct. In
infants, a membrane blocks the tear
drainage duct, resulting in excessive tears and mucus. In adults, the cause of
the blockage is usually unknown, but can be related to poor eyelid function.
papilla Small bump where the optic nerve exits the eye.
papilloma Usually benign tumor, such as a wart or a skin tag;
papillomas may be raised or flat, and can be a variety of colors, such as
skin-colored, yellow, pink, brown or black. Eye papillomas are typically on the
eyelid, but may also appear on the conjunctiva. The cause of papillomas is felt to be viral.
Parinaud dorsal midbrain syndrome Inability to
look up, typically associated with a brain lesion, characterized by nystagmus
and pupil unresponsiveness to light. Causes include hydrocephalus ("water
on the brain") and tumors of the pineal gland.
Parkinson's disease Neurological disorder
characterized by tremors, muscle rigidity, a shuffling walk and a mask-like
appearance in the face. Parkinson's may also cause infrequent blinking.
pars plana Posterior part of the eye's ciliary body.
Patau syndrome Also called Trisomy-13. Condition caused by an extra, third copy of chromosome 13. Symptoms include
severe mental retardation, a small head, microphthalmia, a cleft lip or palate, heart defects and extra fingers or toes; many patients
also have an iris coloboma and retinal dysplasia (abnormal development). The majority of infants with Patau syndrome die within the first year.
pediculosis Lice infestation, typically caused by contact with an
infected person or infected bedding. When lice infest the eyelid and eyelashes,
they can cause such symptoms as visible lice (white or gray), eggs called nits (white or
gray) or feces (reddish-brown), blue bite marks, blepharitis and conjunctivitis.
Some people also develop keratitis.
penetrating keratoplasty A transplant procedure in
which a circular area of surface eye tissue is removed from a healthy donor
cornea and transferred to a
recipient. A penetrating keratoplasty or corneal transplant may be needed in case of eye damage
from injury or from eye diseases such as keratoconus.
peripheral vision The edges of your visual field.
phacoemulsification Also called "phako," this in-office cataract surgery procedure involves using a device with a vibrating, ultrasonic tip
to break up the cataract, then suctioning the pieces out with a tiny needle.
Read our article about cataract surgery.
phakic An eye that still has its natural lens. When an eye is aphakic, usually the lens has been removed
during cataract or other eye surgery.
phoropter Device that provides various combinations of lenses used for tests of vision errors in eye examinations.
photoablation Procedure in which a surgeon uses ultraviolet radiation to remove tissue.
photochromic Able to change lens color or darkness/density depending upon the degree of exposure to light.
photokeratitis "Sunburn" of the cornea; symptoms include discomfort, blurred vision, and light sensitivity.
The temporary vision loss that can result is called "snow blindness."
photophobia Discomfort from sun or other light. Photophobia has many causes.
phytochemicals Chemicals found in plants that help protect against disease.
pinguecula A yellowish, thickened lesion on the conjunctiva near the cornea. Pingueculae represent a benign degenerative
change in the conjunctiva caused by the leakage and deposition of certain blood proteins through the permeable capillaries near the limbus. Read more
about pterygium and pinguecula.
plano A term eyecare professionals use to describe lenses with no corrective power. The term is most often applied to nonprescription sunglasses or contact lenses that are worn for cosmetic purposes only.
PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate) Old-fashioned hard contacts were made of PMMA, which is not permeable; today's rigid lenses contain other polymers that allow oxygen to reach your eye.
polarized lenses Lenses that block light reflected from horizontal surfaces such as water, to reduce glare.
porphyria Disorder in which the body produces
too much of a compound called porphyrin and releases it in the urine, causing a
reddish color. Other symptoms include light sensitivity, skin that swells or is
sensitive to sunlight, abdominal pain, blisters and muscle weakness.
polycarbonate Plastic that is very impact-resistant, and is thus sometimes used for spectacle lenses and frames.
posterior chamber Part of the eye behind the iris and in front of the lens.
presbyope Person who has difficulty reading print and seeing near objects.
presbyopia Condition in which the aging eye beginning at around age 40
is unable to focus at all distances, often noticed when print begins to blur. Additional symptoms include
eyestrain, headaches, and squinting. Read our article about presbyopia.
prescription lenses Lenses that provide vision correction as prescribed by an eyecare practitioner.
prism In optics, a lens that can have precise geometric configurations enabling light to
be bent or reflected in certain ways. A prism also can split white light into different wave lengths and colors.
PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy) Surgical procedure in which an excimer laser is used to remove corneal tissue to correct vision problems.
progressive lenses Also called progressive addition lenses or PALs. Multifocal lenses whose corrective powers change progressively throughout the lens. A wearer looks through one portion of the lens for distance vision, another for intermediate vision, and a third portion for reading or close work. Each area is blended invisibly into the next, without the lines that traditional bifocals or trifocals have.
propionate A soft, flexible material that is sometimes used in goggles.
prosthetic Refers to a prosthesis, which is an artificial replacement for a part of the body. Read more
about prosthetic contact lenses.
protective eyewear Eyewear made with impact-resistant lenses, usually polycarbonate, that protects the eyes, especially in working situations or sports.
protein All living cells contain these large, complex organic molecules that include enzymes, antibodies, hormones, and other elements that help organisms function. Proteins are present in human tears and can collect on contact lenses, resulting in discomfort and cloudy vision.
pseudotumor cerebri A condition whose
symptoms mirror those of a brain tumor: increased intracranial pressure,
headache, nausea, brief periods of vision loss (graying or blurring) and double
vision. The cause is unknown, but patients are often obese women.
pterygium Triangular fold of tissue on
the white of the eye that can eventually grow over part of the cornea; the cause
may be irritation from sun (i.e., UV rays), dust and wind. Some people have no symptoms, while
others may have redness or blurred vision. Pterygia that are chronically inflamed can become itchy. Read more
about pterygium and pinguecula.
ptosis Drooping eyelid. Congenital ptosis is
caused by a problem with the levator muscle (which lifts the eyelid). In adults,
ptosis is commonly caused by the aging of the levator's connective tissue.
punctal cautery A procedure that uses heat or laser energy to permanently close channels
from which tears drain. Punctal cautery increases the accumulation of moisture as a treatment for dry eye. For more information, please
see our dry eye syndrome article.
punctal plugs Tiny inserts often made of plastic that are placed in channels
or ducts of the eye where moisture drainage occurs. Punctal plugs can help stop excessive drainage to keep
the eye moistened in conditions such as dry eye syndrome. For more information, please
see our dry eye syndrome article.
pupil The round, dark center of the eye, which opens and closes to regulate the amount of
light the retina receives.
pupillary distance This is the distance between the center of each pupil. Opticians
use a special ruler to measure your pupillary distance before ordering your eyeglasses. It is an essential measurement because
the optical center of each eyeglass lens must be positioned directly over the center of each pupil. An incorrect
measurement means you would have difficulty focusing when wearing the glasses.
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Cataracts
