Ophthalmic: Definition and uses
What does “ophthalmic” mean?
Ophthalmic means relating to the eye. In medicine, the word refers to medications, professional roles, anatomy and other aspects of eye care.
You may most often see “ophthalmic” on prescription or over-the-counter medication (OTC) labels. “For ophthalmic use” means the product is intended only for application in or around the eye.
An easy way to understand “ophthalmic” is to read it as “related to the eye.” An ophthalmic technician, for example, works in eye care, while an ophthalmic medication is a drug used to treat eye conditions.
Ophthalmic, ocular, optic and optical are related terms.
- Ophthalmic – Relating to the eye, especially in medical and eye care settings
- Ocular – Describing the eye itself, such as the ocular surface or ocular symptoms
- Optic – Often referring to structures involved in vision, such as the optic nerve
- Optical – Generally relating to light, lenses or the way light is focused to form an image
Eye drops: Ophthalmic solutions, emulsions and suspensions
Many eye drops are ophthalmic solutions, liquid medications formulated for use in the eye. For example, ofloxacin ophthalmic solution is an antibiotic eye drop. It is used to treat certain bacterial eye infections, including conjunctivitis (pink eye).
Not every eye drop is a solution. Some are ophthalmic suspensions, in which tiny particles of medication that do not dissolve well in water are dispersed in the liquid. Prednisolone acetate is an ophthalmic suspension. This corticosteroid eye drop is used to treat inflammation.
Others are ophthalmic emulsions, which combine oil and water in a single formulation. This allows the medication to spread across the eye’s surface and remain there longer. Cyclosporine, for example, is an ophthalmic emulsion used to increase tear production for people who may have inflammation due to keratoconjunctivitis sicca, commonly called dry eye.
Ophthalmic ointment
An ophthalmic ointment is a medication made for use in or around the eye. Often, an ointment is placed inside the lower eyelid, where it spreads across the eye’s surface.
Because ointments are thicker than liquid eye drops, they can temporarily blur vision. For this reason, they may be recommended for nighttime use.
Some ophthalmic ointments contain antibiotics. One example is erythromycin ointment, which treats bacterial infections of the surface of the eye and nearby tissues. Other ophthalmic ointments may contain anti-inflammatory medications or lubricants.
If an ophthalmic ointment blurs your vision, wait until your vision returns to normal before doing any activity that requires clear sight, such as driving.
Ophthalmic gel
An ophthalmic gel is thicker than a standard eye drop. This helps the medication stay on the eye's surface longer, which can improve absorption and reduce how often you need to use the drops.
It is used to treat conditions such as dry eye disease. Because of the thicker texture of an ophthalmic gel, it can temporarily blur vision or cause crusting on the eyelid.
Ophthalmic migraine
Ophthalmic migraine is an older term for a type of migraine that can cause temporary changes in vision. It is now commonly known as migraine with aura. The aura refers to visual symptoms that originate in the brain rather than in the eyes themselves. It usually affects both eyes, even if they seem more noticeable on one side. An aura may occur with or without a headache. It may include:
- Flashing or shimmering lights
- Zigzag patterns
- Blind spots
You may also hear the term ocular migraine, which is sometimes used to describe retinal migraine. This condition causes temporary visual symptoms in only one eye, such as flashing lights, blind spots or vision loss. A headache may occur with or shortly after the visual symptoms, and pain may be felt behind the affected eye. Because other conditions can also cause temporary vision loss in one eye, they need to be ruled out before retinal migraine is diagnosed.
Ophthalmic technicians
An ophthalmic assistant or technician is someone who assists an optometrist or ophthalmologist with eye testing and patient care. Their work may include helping with:
- Eye exam prescreening
- Specialty testing
- Dispensing eyeglasses and contact lenses
- Office management
An ophthalmic medical technologist is a related eye care professional who typically has additional advanced training. Their work may include:
- Specialized diagnostic testing
- Operating advanced imaging or surgical equipment
- Assisting with procedures
- Supervising other ophthalmic staff
An optician is a professional who can fit and dispense eyeglasses and contact lenses based on a prescription from an eye doctor. They may also help with lens selection, frame fitting and adjustments.
Ophthalmic artery
The ophthalmic artery is a blood vessel that supplies blood to the eye, eye muscles and other structures around the eye. It branches from the carotid artery system, which supplies blood to the head and brain.
If the ophthalmic artery becomes blocked, blood flow to the eye can be reduced or cut off. This is known as ophthalmic artery occlusion and can cause sudden, painless vision loss. It requires emergency medical care.
Putting “ophthalmic” in context
Ophthalmic is a broad term that connects many parts of eye care. Whether it appears on a medication label, in the name of an eye care professional or as part of an anatomical term, the words around it give it a more specific meaning.
