Glossary

Unfortunately, ophthalmology sometimes involves a lot of big words, and you may hear a term you do not know now and then—or you may hear multiple terms used to describe the same thing. Hopefully, this short glossary will help clear up any confusion.

Astigmatism: a type of refractive error in which the eye does not focus light evenly on the retina which causes blurry vision. Blue light: blue wavelengths that can be harmful to the eye over prolonged periods. Cataracts: the clouding of the lens of the eye, that occurs with age and is treated with cataract surgery. Computer Glasses: task specific glasses that help reduce the eye strain associated with computer work. Conjunctiva: the mucus membrane that covers the front of the eye and lines the inside of the eyelids. Cornea: the transparent dome that covers the front portion of the eye and whose main function is to refract or bend light. Glaucoma: vision loss due to increased eye pressure that damages the optic nerve. Hyperopia: a common vision condition in which you can see objects at distance clearly, but objects up close are blurry. Intraocular Pressure (IOP): the fluid pressure inside the eye. Iris: the colored tissue at the front of the eye that controls the amount of light that enters the eye by dilating and contracting.

LASIK: Laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) is a surgical procedure used to treat refractive error and is an alternative to wearing glasses or contact lenses. Low Vision: is vision loss that can’t be corrected with glasses, contacts or surgery. Macular Degeneration: is a condition characterized by the progressive break down of the macula, which is the central portion of the retina responsible for central vision and color vision. Monovision: means wearing one contact lens that corrects for distance vision in one eye and another lens that corrects for near vision in the other eye. Multifocal: refer to any lenses with multiple powers including bifocals, trifocals or progressive lenses. Myopia: a common vision condition in which you can see objects near to you clearly, but objects farther away are blurry. Neuro-optometric: is an individualized treatment for patients with visual impairments that may be caused by physical disabilities, traumatic brain injuries, and other neurological insults. Ophthalmologist: a specialist in the branch of medicine concerned with the study and treatment of disorders and diseases of the eye via prescribing medicine and/or eye surgery. Optician: a person qualified to make and supply eyeglasses and contact lenses for correction of vision. Optometrist: is a health care provider that examines the eyes and applicable visual systems for defects or abnormalities. They can prescribe glasses and/or contact lenses for the correction of refractive errors and medications for treatment of eye diseases.

Presbyopia: a common vision condition in which you lose the ability to see up close. This is often associated with aging and typically occurs around the age of 40. Pupil: is the black circle in the center of the iris. Refraction: a test performed by a technician or eye care provider to determine a patient’s glasses prescription. Refractive Error: visual abnormality resulting in blurred vision caused by the improper bending of light. Retinal Detachment: a separation of the retina from the eyeball. Safety Glasses: glasses designed for greater impact resistance contact. Scleral Lens: they are large diameter rigid gas permeable lenses. Single Vision: glasses used for one purpose: distance, near, or computer. Strabismus: a condition in which the eyes do not properly align with each other. Visual Acuity: the ability to discern letters or numbers at a given distance on a fixed standard.