Ophthalmologist: From 2 Different Sources
A doctor with specialist training in OPHTHALMOLOGY.
n. a doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of eye diseases.
Someone who ?ts and sells glasses or contact lenses. An ophthalmic optician (optometrist) is trained to perform eye examinations to test for long- and short-sightedness and to prescribe corrective lenses, but they do not treat disorders of the eye, referring patients with a disorder to a family doctor or ophthalmologist.... optician
A noninvasive procedure in which an ophthalmologist (a doctor specializing in eye disorders) uses an ophthalmoscope to examine the inside of the eye. The ophthalmoscope is used first to direct a beam of light into the eye and then to examine the light-sensitive retina; the retinal blood vessels; the head of the optic nerve; and the jelly-like vitreous humour.... ophthalmoscopy
The practice of assessing vision to establish whether glasses or contact lenses are needed to correct a visual defect, as carried out by an optometrist. Disorders of the eye may require treatment by an ophthalmologist. (See also ophthalmology; optician.)... optometry
The procedure for measuring the pressure of the fluid within the eye, usually performed by an ophthalmologist during an eye examination (see eye, examination of). Tonometry is useful in diagnosing glaucoma.... tonometry
a chart usually consisting of a grid of black lines on a white background. It is used to detect and monitor problems of central vision affecting the retina; for example, in early macular disease, the square edges of the grid may appear distorted. [M. Amsler (1891–1968), Swiss ophthalmologist]... amsler grid
a disorder of the eyes in which the *pupillary reflex is absent. Although the pupils contract normally for near vision (the accommodation reflex), they fail to contract in bright light. It may occur, for example, as a result of syphilis or diabetes. [D. Argyll Robertson (1837–1909), Scottish ophthalmologist]... argyll robertson pupil
a lens with fine parallel lines (almost invisible striations) across its width, used in various vision tests; for example, to test suppression and abnormal retinal correspondence. [B. Bagolini (20th century), Italian ophthalmologist]... bagolini lens
an orthoptic eye test used mainly to differentiate between a weakness of the superior oblique muscle and a weakness of the contralateral superior rectus muscle (see extrinsic muscle). [A. Bielschowsky (1871–1940), German ophthalmologist]... bielschowsky head tilt
a condition, usually congenital, in which the tendon sheath of the superior oblique muscle of the *eye does not relax, thus limiting the elevation of the eye, especially in adduction. [H. W. Brown (20th century), US ophthalmologist]... brown’s syndrome
a congenital anomaly of the blood vessels of the retina, which are abnormally dilated and leaking. This results in subretinal haemorrhage and exudative *retinal detachment. [G. Coats (1876–1915), British ophthalmologist]... coats’ disease
a disorder in which *keratitis and iridocyclitis (see uveitis) are associated with tinnitus, vertigo, and bilateral sensorineural deafness. [D. G. Cogan (1908–93), US ophthalmologist]... cogan’s syndrome
an abnormality of the eye muscles leading most commonly to restricted abduction (outward movement of the eye away from the midline) of one eye. On attempted adduction (inward movement of the eye towards the midline) of that same eye there is retraction of the eye into the orbit and narrowing of the opening between the eyelids. [A. Duane (1858–1926), US ophthalmologist]... duane’s syndrome
round or oval transparent cystic structures on the posterior capsule of the lens due to proliferation of lens epithelial cells following extracapsular *cataract extraction. They can grow to cover the central part of the capsule and cause reduction in vision. [A. Elschnig (1863–1939), German ophthalmologist]... elschnig pearls
a hereditary condition in which the corneal endothelium loses its functional ability, usually with age. It may result in thickening and swelling of the cornea (*bullous keratopathy) and thus affect vision. Cornea guttata, small whitish deposits of hyalin, are seen on the inner surface of the cornea and signify a reduced number of endothelial cells. A corneal transplantation (see keratoplasty) may become necessary in certain cases. [E. Fuchs (1851–1913), German ophthalmologist]... fuchs’ endothelial dystrophy
see tonometer. [H. Goldmann (1899–1991), Swiss ophthalmologist]... goldmann applanation tonometer
splits or tears in *Descemet’s membrane occurring during infancy, commonly as a result of congenital glaucoma. [O. Haab (1850–1931), German ophthalmologist]... haab’s striae
a syndrome consisting of a constricted pupil (miosis), drooping of the upper eyelid (*ptosis), and an absence of sweating over the affected side of the face. The symptoms are due to a disorder of the sympathetic nerves in the brainstem or cervical (neck) region. [J. F. Horner (1831–86), Swiss ophthalmologist]... horner’s syndrome
a linear horizontal yellowish line seen in the deep epithelium of ageing corneas. [A. C. Hudson (1875–1962), British ophthalmologist; J. Stähli (20th century), Swiss ophthalmologist]... hudson–stähli line
a card with text printed in type of different sizes, used for testing acuity of near vision. [E. R. Jaeger von Jastthal (1818–84), Austrian ophthalmologist]... jaeger test types
a brownish-yellow ring in the outer rim of the cornea of the eye. It is a deposit of copper granules and is diagnostic of *Wilson’s disease. When well developed it can be seen by unaided observation, but faint Kayser-Fleischer rings may only be detected by specialized *slit-lamp ophthalmological examination. [B. Kayser (1869–1954), German ophthalmologist; B. Fleischer (1848–1904), German physician]... kayser–fleischer ring
a type of nodule occurring in the iris at the pupil margin in both granulomatous and nongranulomatous *uveitis. [L. Koeppe (20th century), German ophthalmologist]... koeppe nodule
an autosomal *recessive condition characterized by obesity, short stature, learning disabilities, *retinitis pigmentosa, *hypogonadism, and delayed puberty. [J. Z. Laurence (1830–74), British ophthalmologist; R. C. Moon (1844–1914), US ophthalmologist; A. Biedl (1869–1933), Austrian physician]... laurence–moon–biedl syndrome
a hereditary condition (inherited as an autosomal *recessive) causing severe visual loss in infants. The *fundus usually appears to be normal when examined with an *ophthalmoscope, but marked abnormalities are found on the ERG (see electroretinography), usually with extinguished wave pattern. [T. Leber (1840–1917), German ophthalmologist]... leber’s congenital amaurosis
pigmented *hamartomas of the iris of the eye seen in *neurofibromatosis type I. [K. Lisch (1907–99), Austrian ophthalmologist]... lisch nodules
a series of transparent cylinders that change a point source of light into a linear streak perpendicular to the axis of the rods, used in the assessment of binocular visual functions. [E. E. Maddox (1860–1933), British ophthalmologist]... maddox rod
a congenital condition characterized by drooping (*ptosis) of one eyelid. On opening or moving the mouth, the droopy lid elevates momentarily, resembling a wink. It is believed to be due to an abnormal innervation of the levator muscle by the trigeminal nerve. [R. Marcus Gunn (1850–1909), British ophthalmologist]... marcus gunn jaw-winking syndrome
a severe ulceration at the periphery of the cornea, characterized by an overhanging advancing edge and vascularization of the ulcer bed. It is usually very painful, progressive, and difficult to control. [A. Mooren (1829–99), German ophthalmologist]... mooren’s ulcer
n. a former name for an *ophthalmologist.... oculist
damage to the retina associated with severe head injuries. It can also occur with other types of trauma, such as long-bone fractures, and with several nontraumatic systemic diseases. [O. Purtscher (1852–1927), Austrian ophthalmologist]... purtscher’s retinopathy
a noninflammatory condition of the cornea resulting in yellow-white nodules under the epithelium in the central area. These may cause symptoms if the epithelium over them breaks down or if they are located along the visual axis. [M. Salzmann (1862–1954), German ophthalmologist]... salzmann’s degeneration
1. a sickle-shaped *scotoma appearing as an upward or downward extension of the blind spot. 2. a test to confirm leakage of the aqueous humour. *Fluorescein sodium dye is instilled and viewed with cobalt blue light; a bright green flow of liquid is seen at the site of the leakage. [E. Seidel (1882–1948), German ophthalmologist]... seidel sign
an autoimmune condition affecting the salivary and lacrimal glands, resulting in a *dry mouth and dryness of the eyes. In the systemic form of the disease other glands may be affected, causing dryness of the airways, vagina, or skin, as well as the joints (producing a relatively mild form of arthritis) and muscles (which ache), and there may be tiredness and lethargy. Sjögren’s syndrome may also occur secondarily to other conditions (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis). Symptomatic treatment, including saliva and tear substitutes, is available. Patients are susceptible to dental caries. [H. S. C. Sjögren (1899–1986), Swedish ophthalmologist]... sjögren’s syndrome
the commonest chart used for testing sharpness of distant vision (see visual acuity). It consists of rows of capital letters, called test types (or optotypes), the letters of each row becoming smaller down the chart. The large letter at the top is of such a size that it can be read by a person with normal sight from a distance of 60 metres. A normally sighted person can read successive lines of letters from 36, 24, 18, 12, 9, 6, and 5 metres respectively. There is sometimes a line for 4 metres. The subject sits 6 metres from the chart and one eye is tested at a time. If he can only read down as far as the 12-metre line the visual acuity is expressed as 6/12. Normally sighted people can read the 6-metre line, i.e. normal acuity is 6/6, and many people read the 5-metre line with ease. A smaller chart on the same principle is available for testing near vision. In North America the test is done at a distance of 20 feet: 20/20 vision is the same as 6/6. See also LogMAR chart. [H. Snellen (1834–1908), Dutch ophthalmologist]... snellen chart
apparent widening of the distance between the upper and lower eyelids (the palpebral fissure) due to retraction of the upper lid and protrusion of the eyeball. It is a sign of exophthalmic *goitre. [C. Stellwag von Carion (1823–1904), Austrian ophthalmologist]... stellwag’s sign
(pulseless disease) progressive occlusion of the arteries arising from the arch of the aorta (including those to the arms and neck), resulting in the absence of pulses in the arms and neck. Symptoms include attacks of unconsciousness (syncope), paralysis of facial muscles, and transient blindness, due to an inadequate supply of blood to the head. [M. Takayasu (1860–1938), Japanese ophthalmologist]... takayasu’s disease
slightly elevated greyish-white dots consisting of clumps of degenerating eosinophils and epithelial cells, seen on the conjunctiva at the junction of the cornea and sclera in cases of allergic conjunctivitis. [A. Trantas (1867–1960), Greek ophthalmologist]... trantas dots
(Treacher Collins deformity) a hereditary disorder of facial development. It is characterized by underdevelopment of the jaw and zygomatic (cheek) bones and the precursors of the ear fail to develop, which results in a variety of ear and facial malformations. The ear abnormality may cause deafness. [E. Treacher Collins (1862–1919), British ophthalmologist]... treacher collins syndrome
the worsening of neurological symptoms, including vision, in demyelinating conditions such as multiple sclerosis, when the body becomes overheated in hot weather or by exercise, fever, or saunas and hot tubs. [W. Uhthoff (1853–1927), German ophthalmologist]... uhthoff phenomenon
an inherited syndrome in which *haemangioblastomas, particularly in the cerebellum, are associated with renal and pancreatic cysts, *angiomas in the retina (causing blindness), cancer of the kidney cells, and red birthmarks. [E. von Hippel (1867–1939), German ophthalmologist; A. Lindau (1892–1958), Swedish pathologist]... von hippel–lindau disease
an inherited form of deafness accompanied by a characteristic white forelock of hair and multiple colours within the irises of the eyes. It is inherited as an autosomal *dominant disease, i.e. the children of an affected parent have a 50% chance of inheriting the disorder, although severity is variable. The gene responsible has been identified. [P. J. Waardenburg (1886–1979), Dutch ophthalmologist]... waardenburg’s syndrome
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