xerophthalmus
Definition
- Noun:
- A medical condition of the eye: "xerophthalmus" refers to abnormal dryness of the conjunctiva and cornea, the transparent front layers of the eye. This condition is often a sign of a severe systemic deficiency of vitamin A.
Usage
- The term "xerophthalmus" is a specialized medical term used primarily in clinical and healthcare contexts to diagnose and describe a specific ocular condition resulting from malnutrition or other underlying health issues.
Examples
- Noun:
- The doctor diagnosed the patient with xerophthalmus after noting the extreme dryness and damage to the cornea.
- Xerophthalmus is a serious condition that can lead to blindness if the vitamin A deficiency is not corrected.
Advanced Usage
- Pathological context: The term is used to describe the ocular manifestation of hypovitaminosis A (vitamin A deficiency).
- In regions with widespread malnutrition, xerophthalmus is a major public health concern.
Variants and Related Words
- Xerophthalmia (n): This is the more commonly used variant form of the word with the same meaning.
- Xerophthalmia is a preventable cause of childhood blindness.
Synonyms
- Conjunctival xerosis: A more technical term specifying dryness of the conjunctiva.
- Keratomalacia: Refers to the ulceration and softening of the cornea that can result from advanced xerophthalmus.
Related Medical Terms (Not Phrasal Verbs or Idioms)
- Vitamin A deficiency: The primary systemic cause of xerophthalmus.
- Bitot's spots: Foamy, white patches on the conjunctiva that are a clinical sign often associated with xerophthalmus.
Noun
-
abnormal dryness of the conjunctiva and cornea of the eyes; may be due to a systemic deficiency of vitamin A
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