chapter 14 patho terms

amblyopia

amblyopia

disorder in which the brain disregards images from the weaker eye and relies on those from the stronger eye; sometimes called lazy eye

astigmatism

abnormal curvature of the cornea that distorts the visual image

blepharitis

noncontagious inflammation of the eyelash follicles and tiny oil glands along the margins of the eyelids

cataract

cloudiness of the lens due to protein deposits as a result of aging, disease, or trauma or as a side effect of tobacco use or certain medications

central scotoma

blind spot in the center of the visual field surrounded by an area of normal vision

chalazion

small benign cyst in the eyelid formed by the distention of a meibomian gland (sebaceous gland of the eye) with secretions

conjunctivitis

inflammation of the conjunctiva; also called pinkeye

diabetic retinopathy

progressive damage to microscopic vessels and other structures of the retina in patients with long-standing diabetes mellitus, which may result in blindness

ectropion

condition in which the lower eyelid is turned outward and droops more with aging

entropion

condition in which the eyelid edges are turned inward and rub against the surface of the eye, usually affecting the lower eyelid

glaucoma (acute)

type of glaucoma in which a sudden blockage of aqueous-humor outflow causes a rapid increase in intraocular pressure; can cause vision loss; also called closed-angle glaucoma

glaucoma (chronic)

type of glaucoma in which the aqueous humor drains too slowly, leading to increasing intraocular pressure; can cause vision loss; also called primary open-angle glaucoma

hordeolum

infection of a sebaceous gland of the eyelid; also called a stye

hyperopia

vision defect in which parallel rays focus behind the retina as a result of flattening of the globe of the eye or of an error in refraction; commonly called farsightedness

hypertensive retinopathy

estructive retinal changes caused by hypertensionkeratitis

keratitis

inflammation of the cornea, usually associated with decreased visual acuity, which may, if untreated, result in blindness

legal blindness

loss in visual acuity that prevents a person from performing work requiring eyesight; defined as corrected visual acuity of 20/200 or less or a visual field of 20 degrees or less in the better eye

macular degeneration

macular deterioration resulting in central vision loss, categorized as either atrophic (dry) or exudative (wet)

myopia

error of refraction in which light rays focus in front of the retina, enabling the person to see distinctly for only a short distance; commonly called nearsightedness

nystagmus

involuntary back-and-forth or cyclical movements of the eyes

ophthalmology

study of the structure, functions, and diseases of the eye

presbyopia

permanent loss of accommodation of the lens of the eye that occurs as people enter their 40s, causing a marked inability to maintain focus on near objects

retinal detachment

separation of the inner sensory layer of the retina from the outer pigment layer, caused by a break in the inner layer that permits vitreous fluid to leak under the retina and lift off its innermost layer; may cause blindness

strabismus

deviation or misalignment of eyes that may adversely affect depth perception; types include exotropia (eyes turned outward), esotropia (eyes turned inward), hypertropia (eyes turned upward), and hypotropia (eyes turned downward)

uveitis

nonspecific term for any intraocular inflammatory disorder, which may affect the iris, ciliary body, choroid, or other parts of the eye

anacusis

total deafness

cholesteatoma

condition in which a cyst develops in the middle ear

labyrinthitis

inflammation of the labyrinth within the inner ear; also called otitis interna

Ménière’s disease

chronic, noncontagious disorder of the labyrinth that leads to progressive hearing loss, vertigo, and tinnitus; also called labyrinthine hydropsotitis externa

otitis externa

acute inflammation or infection of the external auditory canal; also called swimmer’s ear

otitis media

nflammation or infection of the middle ear

otosclerosis

chronic progressive deafness caused by spongy bone formation around the oval window with resulting ankylosis of the stapes

presbycusis

progressive loss of hearing with agingtinnitus

tinnitus

perception of ringing, buzzing, tinkling, or hissing sound in the ear

vertigo

feeling of spinning or moving in space