Glossary of Eye Related Terms

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Accommodation – the act of physiologically adjusting crystalline lens elements to alter the refractive power and bring objects that are closer to the eye into sharp focus. A-scan – utilizes an ultrasound device for diagnostic testing. Amsler Grid – can help detect early signs of retinal disease and monitor changes in vision. Angle – part of the eye where the iris meets the cornea and sclera. Anterior chamber – the front part of the eye between the cornea and the iris. Aqueous – the clear liquid inside the front part of the eye. ARMD – Age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) is an acquired degeneration of the retina that causes significant central visual impairment through a combination of non-neovascular (drusen and retinal pigment epithelium abnormalities), and neovascular derangement (choroidal neovascular membrane formation). Astigmatism – incorrect curvature of the cornea. BCV – Best Corrected Vision is the best vision corrected by contact or glasses Bifocals – eyeglasses that correct vision for both nearsightedness and presbyopia. Blepharitis – a common eye condition that makes your eyelids red, swollen, irritated, and itchy. Blepharospasm – twitching of the eyelid. Blind Spot – the spot where your optic nerve connects to your retina has no light-sensitive cells, so you can’t see anything there. Blindness – the temporary or permanent loss of vision. Cataract – a natural clouding of the lens of the eye. Cataract extraction – eye surgery that involves removing the cloudy lens and replacing it with a new synthetic lens. Cataract Surgeon – Ophthalmologist and eye surgeon who replaces the natural lens of the eye that has clouded with a synthetic lens to improve vision. Chalazion – a small bump in the eyelid caused by a blockage of a tiny oil gland Color Blind – means you see colors differently than most people. Comprehensive Eye Exam – checks your eyes’ refraction (whether you need glasses or not) and screens you for any symptoms that may lead to eye diseases such as cataract, glaucoma, lazy eye, diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration Conjunctivitis – the inflammation or infection of the transparent membrane that lines your eyelid and eyeball. Contact lens – worn in the eye to correct vision problems. Cornea – the transparent part of the eye that covers the iris and the pupil and allows light to enter the inside. Corneal Abrasion – a superficial scratch on the clear, protective “window” at the front of the eye (cornea). Cross Eyed – a condition in which one eye is turned in a direction that is different from the other eye. Crystalens – an FDA-approved intraocular lens for the visual correction of adults with cataracts (clouding of the eye’s natural lens secondary to age) with or without presbyopia, or lenses that have aged or become more rigid. Custom Lens Replacement – Custom Lens Replacement is sometimes called Refractive Lens Exchange. It is a surgery used to correct vision by replacing the natural lens of the eye with an artificial lens. Diabetic Retinopathy – a complication of diabetes, caused by high blood sugar levels damaging the back of the eye (retina). Dilation – makes your vision blurry and your eyes more light sensitive, which, for a few hours, can affect your ability to drive or work. Diopter – unit of magnifying power of a lens or lens system. Diplopia – medical term for double vision or seeing double. Drusen – yellow deposits under the retina. Dry Eye Syndrome – usually happens when your eyes don’t make enough tears to stay wet, or when your tears don’t work correctly. This can make your eyes feel uncomfortable, and in some cases, it can also cause vision problems. Endoptalmitis – a purulent inflammation of the intraocular fluids (vitreous and aqueous) usually due to infection. EVO ICL – Think of it as an implantable contact lens. The EVO ICL (Implantable Collamer Lens) is a reversible, biocompatible lens implant designed to correct nearsightedness and astigmatism, offering clear, sharp vision without altering the corneal structure. Excimer Laser – most commonly used to correct myopia (nearsightedness) but can also be used to correct hyperopia (farsightedness) and astigmatism Eye Chart – optotype; a chart used to subjectively measure visual acuity. Farsightedness – problems seeing objects that are close. Flashes and Floaters – both caused by the natural shrinking of the gel-like fluid in your eye (vitreous) that happens as you age. Foreign Body – something that is stuck inside you but isn’t supposed to be there Gonioscopy – an eye examination to look at the front part of your eye (anterior chamber) between the cornea and the iris. Glaucoma – a group of eye diseases that can cause vision loss and blindness by damaging a nerve in the back of your eye called the optic nerve Halos – an eye symptom that some people experience around bright lights. Halos show up as bright circles around a light source. Headache – a pain in your head or face tha

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