nanophthalmos
Noun: 1. A congenital eye condition: Nanophthalmos is a rare, non-progressive developmental disorder of the eye. It is characterized by the presence of eyes that are abnormally small in all dimensions (microphthalmos) but with otherwise normal internal structures and no other major ocular malformations.
The term is used in medical and clinical contexts to describe a specific ophthalmic diagnosis. * The patient was diagnosed with nanophthalmos, which explained the high hyperopia and the crowded anterior chamber. * Nanophthalmos is distinct from simple microphthalmia because the internal anatomy is typically well-formed. * Surgical management of glaucoma in eyes with nanophthalmos requires special care due to the risk of uveal effusion.
- "Nanophthalmic" (adjective): Pertaining to or affected by nanophthalmos.
- The surgeon considered the nanophthalmic anatomy before proceeding.
- The condition is often associated with high hyperopia (farsightedness), angle-closure glaucoma, and a thickened sclera.
- Microphthalmos/Microphthalmia (noun): A broader term for an abnormally small eye, which may or may not have other structural abnormalities. Nanophthalmos is a specific subtype of microphthalmos.
- Nanophthalmic (adjective): The adjectival form.
- Pure microphthalmos (in specific clinical contexts)
The core meaning is the presence of a functionally and structurally intact but significantly undersized globe. The key distinction from general microphthalmia is the "otherwise normal" qualification, implying the retina, optic nerve, and other key components are present and formed correctly, just within a much smaller space.
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condition in which both eyes are abnormally small but otherwise normal
