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| Glossary of Eye Terminology A accommodation - the ability of the eye to focus. amblyopia - sometimes called "lazy eye," is the reduction or dimming of vision in an eye that appears to be normal. Amsler grid - A chart featuring horizontal and vertical lines used to test vision. anterior chamber - the front section of the eye's interior where aqueous humor flows in and out of providing nourishment to the eye and surrounding tissues. astigmatism - a vision problem that results in blurred images. B binocular vision - the ability to use both eyes at once. C cataract - a change in the structure of the crystalline lens that causes blurred vision. choroid - the thin, blood-rich membrane that covers the white of the eyeball; responsible fore supplying blood to the retina. ciliary body - the part of the eye that produces aqueous humor. conjunctiva - the membrane that lines the exposed eyeball and the inside of the eyelid. conjunctivitis - inflammation of the conjunctiva of the eye. cornea - the clear, dome-shaped surface that covers the front of the eye. corneal curvature - the shape of the front surface of the eye. D depth perception - the ability to distinguish objects in a visual field. diplopia - double vision. G glaucoma - increased intra ocular pressure that can result in optic nerve damage and loss of sight. H hyaloid canal - narrow passageway that allows blood to flow through the eye. hyperopia - farsightedness. I iris - the colored part of the eye. The iris is partly responsible for regulating the amount of light permitted to enter the eye. K keratitis - inflammation of the cornea. L lens (also called crystalline lens) - the transparent structure inside the eye that focuses light rays onto the retina. M macula - the portion of the eye that allows us to see fine details clearly. macular degeneration - degeneration in the macular region of the retina that results in decreased central vision and sometimes, in blindness. miosis - constriction of the pupil. mydriasis - dilation of the pupil. myopia - nearsightedness. N near point of accommodation - the closest point in front of the eyes that an object may be clearly focused. near point of convergence - the maximum extent the two eyes can be turned inward. O ocular hypertension - high (greater than 21 mm Hg) intraocular pressure. ophthalmoscopy - examination of the internal structure of the eye. orthokeratology - the use of contact lenses to change the shape of the cornea in order to correct refractive error. optic nerve - a bundle of more than 1 million nerve fibers that connects the retina with the brain. The optic nerve is responsible for interpreting the impulses it receives into images. P photophobia - sensitivity to light. photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) - surgical procedure using an excimer laser to change the shape of the cornea. pingecula - irritation caused by the degeneration of the conjunctiva. posterior chamber - the back section of the eye's interior. posterior optical segment - portion of the eye located behind the crystalline lens, and including vitreous, choroid retina, and optic nerve. posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) - the separation of the vitreus from the retina. presbyopia - a form of farsightedness in which it is difficult to focus on close objects or to read. pupil - the dark center in the middle of the iris through which light passes to the back of the eye. pupillary response - the constriction or dilation of the pupil as stimulated by light. R radial keratotomy - a surgical procedure in which incisions are made into the epithelium of the cornea to correct refractive error. refractive error- the degree to which light reaches the back of the eye -- myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism. retina -- the light-sensitive nerve layer that lines the back of the eye. The retina sense light and creates impulses that are sent through the optic nerve to the brain. retinal detachment - separation of the retina from the epithelium layer and from blood supply. S sclera - the white visible portion of the eyeball. The muscles that move the eyeball are attached to the sclera. scotoma - an area of partial or complete loss of vision surrounded by an area of normal vision. stereopsis - ability to perceive three-dimensional depth. suspensory ligament of lens - a series of fibers that connect the ciliary body of the eye with the lens, holding it in place. T tonometry - test to measure intraocular pressure for glaucoma. V visual acuity - the space visible to an eye in a given position of gaze. vitreous body - a clear, jelly-like substance that fills the center of the eye. Click here to view the |
