Chapter 13: Eye and Ear

Ophthalmology

diagnosis and treatment of eye disorders and diseases

Ophthalmologist

specialist of ophthalmology

optometrist

healthcare professional who measures vision and prescribes corrective solutions as needed (glasses, lenses, surgery)

audiology

diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of hearing disorders

audiologist

healthcare specialist in this field

otorhinolaryngology

diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the ears, nose, and throat (ENT)

otorhinolaryngologist

specialist of otorhinolaryngology

blepharedema

swelling of the eyelid

blepharitis

inflammation of the eyelid

blepharochalasis

hypertrophy of the skin of the eyelid

blepharoptosis

drooping of the upper eyelid

ectropion

turning outward (eversion) of the eyelid, exposing the conjuctiva

entropion

turning inward of the eyelid towards the eye

amblyopia

dull or dim vision due to disuse

diplopia

double vision; emmetropia = normal vision

esotropia

turning inward of one or both eyes

exophthalmia

protrusion of the eyeball from its orbit; may be congenital or the result of endocrine disorder

exotropia

turning outward of one or both of the eyes

photophobia

extreme sensitivity to light; “phobia” means aversion, not fear

strabismus

general term for lack of coordination between the eyes, usually due to a muscle weakness or paralysis; sometimes called a squint, which refers to patient’s effort to correct the disorder

aphakia

condition of no lens, either congenital or acquired

cataract

progressive loss of transparency of the lens of the eye

glaucoma

group of disorders characterized by abnormal IOP due to the obstruction of the outflow of the aqueous humor; chronic or primary open-angle glaucoma is characterized by open anterior chamber angle; angle-closure or narrow-angle is characterized by an abnormally narrowed anterior chamber angle

otalgia

earache, pain in the ear; also called otodynia

otorrhea

discharge from the auditory canal; may be serous, bloody, or purulent

tinnitus

abnormal sound heard in one or both ears caused by trauma or disease, may be a ringing, buzzing, or jingling

vertigo

dizziness; abnormal sensation of movement when there is none, either of one’s self moving, or of objects moving around oneself. May be caused by middle ear infections or the toxic effects of alcohol, sunstroke, and certain medications

cholesteatoma

cystic mass composed of epithelial cells and cholesterol; mass may occlude middle ear and destroy adjacent bones

infectious myringitis

inflammation of the eardrum due to a bacterial or viral infection

mastoiditis

inflammation of the mastoid process of the temporal bone

otitis media (OM)

inflammation of the middle ear; suppurative OM is pus-filled fluid; secretory OM is clear fluid discharge

otosclerosis

development of bone around the oval window with resulting ankylosis of the stapes to the oval window; usually results in progressive deafness

cochlear implant

implanted device that assists those with hearing loss by electrically stimulating the cochlea

hearing aid

electronic device that amplifies sound

mastoidectomy

removal of the mastoid process, usually to treat intractable mastoiditis

otoplasty

surgical or plastic repair and/or reconstruction of the external ear

stapedectomy

removal of the third ossicle, the stapes, from the middle ear; done to correct otosclerosis

tympanoplasty

surgical repair of the eardrum, with or without ossicular chain reconstruction; some patients may require a prosthesis (artificial replacement) for one or more of the ossicles

tympanostomy

surgical creation of an opening through the eardrum to promote drainage and/or allow the introduction of artificial tubes to maintain the opening; also called a myringostomy

tympanotomy

incision of an eardrum; also called a myringotomy