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Glossary of Ophthalmic Terms and Abbreviations
A
ACVO
American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists
ARVO
Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology
ASA
aspirin
ASP
anterior stromal puncture
ablation
removal or separation of tissues
agenesis
failure of an organ or part to develop (for instance, eyelid agenesis)
anisocoria
having pupils of unequal sizes
ankyloblepharon
adhesion of the edges of the eyelids to each other
aphakic
lacking the lens of the eye
aphakic crescent
area seen between the edge of the pupil and the edge of the lens when
the lens is subluxated.
aqueous cell
presence of cells in the aqueous (anterior chamber)
aqueous flare
presence of protein in the aqueous; causes hazy appearance of the anterior
chamber
aqueous misdirection
condition seen chiefly in older cats in which the aqueous produced by
the ciliary body flows into the posterior rather than anterior chamber
of the eye. The lens is pushed forwards, resulting in a shallow anterior
chamber and glaucoma.
area centralis
the fovea; the central portion of the retina with the greatest density
of photoreceptors, and thus the greatest resolution and information processing.
asteroid hyalosis
star-shaped opacities in the vitreous
B
blepharitis
inflammation of the eyelids
blepharospasm
squinting
bullous keratopathy
severe corneal edema resulting in the formation of bullae (fluid "bubbles"
or "blisters"). If these bullae rupture at the surface of the
cornea, they result in corneal ulceration.
buphthalmia
abnormal enlargement of the globe
C
CSA
cyclosporine A
CERF
Canine Eye Registration Foundation
COPLOW
Comparative Ocular Pathology Laboratory of Wisconsin
canthus
the "corners" of the eye, where the upper and lower lids meet
capsulorhexis
tearing of the lens capsule to allow access for phacoemulsification
during cataract surgery
carbachol
miotic drug given intraocularly near the end of cataract surgery to
reduce the risk of post-operative pressure spikes
caruncle
the fleshy protrusion at the medial canthus of the eye. In certain brachycephalic
breeds, aberrant dermis on the caruncles may result in trichiasis
cataract
opacity of the lens or lens capsule
cellulitis
inflammation of the connective tissue, in which watery exudate spreads
through the interstitial and tissue spaces
chalazion
a nodular lesion of the eyelids that results from the escape of meibomian
gland secretions
chemosis
edema of the conjunctiva
choroid
the middle, vascular layer of the eye, between the sclera and retina
chorioretinitis
inflammation of the choroid and retina
ciliary body
the thickened area of the vascular layer of the eye, connecting the
choroid and iris
ciliary cleft
passage through which the aqueous drains after leaving the anterior chamber
and passing through the pectinate ligaments, and which contains the
trabecular meshwork
cilium/cilia
the lashes
coloboma
congenital absence of a tissue of the eye; may affect optic nerve, retina,
choroid, ciliary body, iris, lens, or eyelid
conjunctivitis
inflammation of the conjunctiva, the membrane lining the eyelids and
the surface of the eyeball
corneal endothelial dystrophy
degeneration of the corneal endothelium, usually occuring in old age,
resulting in progressive bilateral corneal edema and the development of
bullae
corpora nigra
the granula iridica; the projections from the dorsal margin of the pupil
in the horse
cyclitis
inflammation of the ciliary body
cyclocryothermy
treatment of glaucoma by freezing of the ciliary body to reduce production
of aqueous humour
cyclophotocoagulation
treatment of glaucoma by lasering the ciliary body to reduce production
of aqueous humour
cycloplegia
paralysis of the ciliary muscle, resulting in a dilated pupil
D
dacryoadenitis
inflammation of the lacrimal gland
dacryocystitis
inflammation of the lacrimal sac
descemetocele
corneal ulcer with complete stromal loss down to Descemet's membrane
(overlying the corneal endothelium)
distichia
additional row of lashes, appearing at the lid margin. They can vary
greatly in number, length, and thickness, and may need to be surgically
removed if they cause trauma to the cornea.
dyscoria
abnormally shaped pupil
E
EERF
Equine Eye Registration Foundation
ERG
electroretinogram
ERU
equine recurrent uveitis
ectasia
dilatation, expansion, or distension
ectropion
turning outwards of the eyelid margin
edema
abnormal accumulation of fluid; for instance, corneal edema
endophthalmitis
inflammation of the anterior and posterior chambers of the eye and their
surrounding structures
endothelium
the innermost layer of the cornea; involved in pumping fluid from the
cornea
enophthalmos
sinking in of the eyeball
entropion
turning inwards of the eyelid margin
enucleation
removal of the globe of the eye from the orbit
eosinophilic keratitis
a proliferative keratoconjunctivitis seen exclusively in domestic cats,
with typically pinkish edematous lesions (or granulomatous inflammatory
lesions)
epilation
removal of hair by the roots
epiphora
overflow of tears
epithelium
the superficial corneal layer
erosion
damage to the cornea that extends only through the epithelium, but leaves
the stroma intact
esotropia
deviation of the visual axis of one eye towards that of the other (cross-eyed)
evisceration
surgical removal of the contents of the globe, leaving the sclera and
cornea intact. A prosthesis is inserted in place of the extracted tissue,
resulting in an eye of relatively normal appearance
exophthalmos
abnormal protrusion of the globe of the eye
extracapsular
surgical removal of the anterior capsule, cortex and nucleus of the
lens, while leaving the posterior lens capsule intact
exotropia
strabismus with deviation of the visual axis of one eye away from the
other
F
flare
see aqueous flare
fornix
the arch-like structure
fovea
the area centralis
fundus
the back portion of the interior of the interior of the globe of the
eye, visible through the pupil
G
glaucoma
eye disease characterized by increased pressure within the eye, resulting
in pathological changes to the retina and optic disc
goniodysgenesis
congenital malformation of the drainage angle
gonioscopy
examination of the drainage angle of the eye using special lenses
granula iridica
the corpora nigra
H
hemeralopia
day blindness
heterochromia
two or more colors in the iris
hippus
abnormally exaggerated rhythmic contraction and dilation of the pupil,
regardless of illumination and fixation of the eyes.
hordoleum
external h. = stye. inflammation of the apocrine (glands of
Moll) or sebaceous (glands of Zeiss) glands on the eyelid margins. internal
h. = chalazion. inflammation of the meibomian glands.
hyalitis
inflammation of the vitreous
hyaloid remnant, persistent
failure of the hyaloid artery, which provides nutrition to the lens
and anterior chamber during prenatal development, to regress fully. It
usually appears as a dense white string of connective tissue connecting
the posterior lens capsule to the optic disc.
hyperopia
far-sightedness
hyphema
hemorrhage in the anterior chamber
hypoplasia
incomplete or underdevelopment; for instance, optic nerve hypoplasia
hypopyon
pus in the anterior chamber
hypotony
unusually low intraocular pressure
I
IFA
immunofluorescent antibody assay
intracapsular
surgical removal of the entire lens of the eye with its capsule; see
also extracapsular
iridocorneal angle
the structure at the junction of the iris and the cornea, through which
the aqueous exits the eye.
iridodenesis
trembling of the iris when the eye moves, seen with aphakia or lens
luxation.
J
K
KCS
keratoconjunctivitis sicca, or "dry eye"
keratectomy
excision of part of the cornea (for instance, to treat a sequestrum).
superficial keratectomy may be used in the treatment of SCCED.
keratoconjunctivitis sicca
"dry eye"; failure to produce tears of a sufficient quantity
or quality
keratoconus
conical protrusion of part of the cornea
keratoglobus
enlarged cornea, seen with buphthalmos
keratoplasty
corneal graft. lamellar is partial and complete is
full thickness.
L
LIU
lens-induced uveitis
lacrimation
tear formation
lagophthalmos
inability to close the eyelids fully
lens luxation
complete displacement of the lens, either into anterior chamber or posteriorly
into the vitreous.
lenticonus
conical protrusion of the lens, either anteriorly or posteriorly
lentiglobus
spherical protrusion of the lens
leukoma
dense corneal scar
limbus
area where the cornea and sclera meet
lipidosis
abnormal accumulation of lipid in the tissue (for instance, corneal
lipidosis)
luxation
dislocation of the lens, or of the entire globe (proptosis)
M
macula
depressed spot in the retina lateral to the optic disc, found in primates.
The macula is the area of greatest concentration of photoreceptors, and
thus of the highest resolution of vision.
meibomeian gland
sebaceous glands with ducts located along the eyelid margins. They produce
part of the oily component of the tear film. see also chalazion
micropapilla
abnormally small optic nerve head
microphthalmus
abnormally small eye
miosis/miotic
constriction of the pupil/drug that produces miosis
mydriasis/mydriatic
dilation of the pupil/drug that produces mydriasis
myopia
nearsightedness
N
NL
normal
nictitans/nictitating membrane
a
nyctalopia
night blindness
nystagmus
a
O
OD
oculus dexter; the right eye
OMSD
ocular manifestations of systemic disease
OS
oculus sinister; the left eye
OU
oculus uterque; both eyes
ophthalmia neonatorum
conjunctivitis in puppies and kittens, before the eyes have opened
ophthalmoscopy
use of a direct or indirect ophthalmosope to examine the fundus
optic neuritis
inflammation of the optic nerve
P
PCR
polymerase chain reaction
PDT
parotid duct transposition
PIFVM
pre-iridial fibrovascular membrane
PK
pigmentary keratitis
PLR
pupillary light reflex
PPM
persistent pupillary membrane
PRA
progressive retinal atrophy
palpebrae
the eyelids
pannus
chronic superficial keratitis
panophthalmitis
inflammation of all the layers of the globe
panuveitis
inflammation of the iris, ciliary body, and choroid
papilla
the optic disc
papilledema
edema of the optic disc (papilla)
pars plana
the flat posterior portion of the ciliary body
pars plicata
the anterior portion of the ciliary body. The ciliary processes, which produce the aqueous, are located here.
phacoemulsification
surgery for cataract removal using ultrasound to break up and remove
the lens from the capsule
phthisis bulbi
atrophy of the globe
photopic
with bright light conditions
physiologic cup or pit
normal depression in the optic nerve head; can become abnormally enlarged
in glaucoma cases
proptosis
displacement of the globe forward out of the orbit
pigmentary keratitis
pigment production in the corneal epithelium and stroma, commonly the
result of chronic irritation
pseudophakic
having an artificial lens, for example, post cataract surgery
ptosis
drooping of the upper eyelid
Q
R
retrobulbar
behind the eyeball
rhematogenous
resulting from a hole or tear; a rhematogenous detachment of the retina
rubeosus iridis
condition in which new blood vessels form on the surface of the iris
S
S/R
suture removal
SARD
sudden acquired retinal degeneration
SCCED
spontaneous chronic corneal epithelial defect; = indolent erosion
STT
Schirmer tear test
sclera
the white outer coat of the eyeball
scotopic
with dark conditions
sequestrum
a
strabismus
condition where the visual axes of the eyes are not parallel
stroma
the tissue that makes up the major part of the cornea, between the epithelium
and the endothelium
subluxation
partial dislocation of the lens; results in an aphakic crescent
symblepharon
adhesion of the eyelids to the eyeball
synechia
adhesion of the iris to the lens or to the cornea
T
TPA
tissue plasminogen activator
tapetum
reflective layer of the choroid
tonometry
measurement of intraocular pressure
trichiasis
facial hairs contacting the cornea
U
ulcer
damage to the cornea that extends into the stoma
uveitis
anterior uveitis = inflammation of the iris and ciliary body.
posterior uveitis = inflammation of the choroid.
uveodermatologic syndrome
autoimmmune disorder targeting melanin, most commonly seen in the Akita.
It may result in uveitis, retinal detachments, and glaucoma.
V
VKH
Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome, see uveodermatologic syndrome
vibrissae
long tactile hairs on the face and around the eyes
viscoelastic
agent injected into the anterior chamber to maintain normal depth during
intraocular surgery
W
X
Y
Z
zonules
ligaments connecting the lens to the ciliary body
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