|
|
Dictionary Links
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
Y
- ECCE
- Acronym for Extracapsular Cataract Extraction. A surgical procedure that
involves removing a cloudy or opaque lens (cataract) while leaving the back lens
capsule intact.
See Free Eye Tests.
- ectropion
- An abnormal turning out of an eyelid.
- electrodiathermy
- The use of heat to destroy abnormal cells. Also called cauterization or diathermy.
- electro-oculogram
- A record of the standing voltage between the front and back of the eye that is correlated with eyeball movement, as in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, and obtained by electrodes suitably placed on the skin near the eye
- electroretinogram
- electroretinograph
- electroretinography
- A test that measures the electrical impulses of the retina when the eye is exposed to light.
For an ERG, an electrode is placed on the cornea at the front of the eye. The electrode measures the electrical response of the rods and cones, the visual cells in the retina at the back of the eye. An abnormal ERG is found in conditions such as arteriosclerosis of the retina, detachment of the retina, and temporal arteritis with eye involvement. The instrument used to do electroretinography is an electroretinograph, and the resultant recording is called an electroretinogram.
- emmetropia
- Refractive condition in which no refractive error is present. In other words, perfect 20/20 vision.
Distant images are focused sharply on the retina without the need for corrective lenses.
- enzymatic cleaner
- Contact lens cleaner that removes protein deposits and other debris. Some come
in liquid form while others are in tablet form. The tablet is dropped into a solution
along with the lens.
- enzyme
- A protein involved in important biochemical reactions in the body, affecting the
rate at which chemical changes take place. These proteins can build up on contact
lenses, requiring the use of special cleaners that remove the deposits.
- enucleation
- Surgical removal of a diseased or damaged eyeball, leaving eye muscles and remaining orbital
contents intact.
- epiphora
- Overflow of tears down the cheek caused by defective tear drainage system or by excessive flow
of tears.
See Free Eye Tests.
- Erbium laser
- Laser developed as a refinement to the CO2 laser used in skin resurfacing for acne
removal and removal of shallow wrinkles. Erbium laser shows promise in a new
procedure to emulsify the lens nucleus during cataract surgery.
- esophoria
- A tendency of one eye to turn inward
- esotropia
- Misalignment of the eyes in which one eye deviates inward toward the nose while the other fixates
normally.
- Excimer laser
- A high-energy, cold laser that is used in the Photorefractive Keratomy (PRK) and
Laser In-Situ Keratomileusis (LASIK) procedures to sculpt the central zone of the
cornea to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism. Guided by a
computer under the direction of an ophthalmologist, the laser emits a pulsating
beam of ultraviolet light that ablates, or vaporizes, the corneal tissue to the precise
depth and area required for refractive vision correction.
See Laser In-Situ Keratomileusis (LASIK), Refractive Surgery, and Photorefractive Keratomy in the Eye Care Encyclopedia.
- exophoria
- A tendency of one eye to turn outward from the nose
- exotropia
- Misalignment of the eyes in which one eye deviates outward away from the nose while the other
fixates normally.
- extended wear
- Contact lenses that can be worn without interruption, even while sleeping, up to a
maximum number of days, usually one to seven, as specified by the eye doctor.
Extended wear lenses are manufactured from a high water content material and/or
a thin center thickness to allow maximum oxygen transmission.
- eye
- A sensitive, sphere-shaped sense organ that acts as a “window,” allowing light
waves to enter the body and be sent to the brain where they are converted into
images. The eye works much like a camera with two lenses. Light entering the
eye passes first through the cornea where it is focused through the pupil on the
inner lens. The inner lens “fine tunes” and focuses the light on the retina at the
back of the eye, which acts much like the film in a camera. The retina then
transmits the light pattern to the brain through the optic nerve where an image is
created.
See Free Eye Tests.
- eye care practitioner
- Eyecare practitioners fall into two categories: ophthalmologists and optometrists.
Ophthalmologists are medical doctors (M.D.s) who treat eye diseases and perform surgery.
Optometrists (O.D.s) are able to diagnose eye diseases and provide some types of treatment but
are not licensed to perform surgery. Both ophthalmologists and optometrists can dispense
eyewear. The two professions often work together in providing comprehensive eye care to
patients.
- eye evaluation
See Free Eye Tests.
- eye exam
- An eye examination includes a visual acuity check (vision test) plus tests for a
variety of conditions that affect overall eye health. Average time for a complete
exam is from one to two hours and the procedures performed are comfortable and
painless. In addition to a vision test, most exams will include an inspection of the
interior structure of the eye including the retina, a test for glaucoma, an eyelid
exam, a check of the pupil’s response to light, a peripheral (side) vision check and
an eye muscle coordination test. Additional tests may be performed depending on
past eye and medical history or current symptoms.
See
General Eye Examination,
Glaucoma,
Retina,
Visual Acuity
in Eye Care Encyclopedia.
See Free Eye Tests.
- eye exam: routine
- Regular eye examinations of the type given by most eye care practitioners every
one or two years. Usually includes tests and checks for visual acuity for distance
and near vision (with and without corrective eyewear); intraocular pressure; pupil
functions; checks for external and internal infection, disease or defects;
extraocular muscle function; and lens and retina inspection through the dilated
pupil.
See
General Eye Examination,
Retina,
Visual Acuity
in Eye Care Encyclopedia.
See Free Eye Tests.
- eye safety
- Because eyesight is considered by many to be the most important of the five
senses, protecting the eye from hazards should be a priority. The most common
eye hazards comprise of flying objects from grinding, sawing, hammering and other
projectiles, such as BB guns. Dusts, welding sparks, fumes and chemical splashes
are also major hazards, particularly in workplace situations. High-intensity light
rays from arc welding, acetylene equipment and even from staring into the sun
can cause painful burns and permanent damage to the retina. More than 90
percent of all eye injuries could be prevented if safety guidelines are followed and
protective eyewear is worn.
- eyeglasses
- Also called spectacles, eyeglasses are the most common device for the correction
of vision problems including hyperopia (farsightedness), myopia
(nearsightedness), astigmatism (corneal distortion) and presbyopia (inability of
eye to focus up close due to hardening of natural lens). The most common types
of eyeglass lenses are single vision, bifocals, trifocals and multi-focals
(progressive lenses). Eyeglass lens materials include glass and various types of
plastic, including new materials that allow thinner, lighter-weight lenses. Various
treatments to the lenses include antireflection coating, photochromic (which
darken when exposed to sunlight), polarized and toughened (for safety).
See Prescription Eyeglasses in Eye Care Encyclopedia.
See Free Eye Tests.
- eyeglass evaluation
- eyelid
- Structures covering front of the eye that protect the eye, limit the amount of light
entering the pupil, and distribute tear film over the exposed corneal surface.
- eyelid plastic surgery (blepharoplasty)
- Surgery to improve the appearance of the eyelids. In addition to detracting from
overall appearance, drooping eyelids may cause functional problems such as
impaired field of vision or difficulty wearing glasses. Blepharoplasty is usually
outpatient surgery performed by ophthalmic plastic and reconstructive surgeons.
See Blepharoplasty in Eye Care Encyclopedia.
See Free Eye Tests.
- eyelid plastic surgery evaluation
- eyelid skin cancer
- Any cancer involving the skin of the eyelid or adjacent face. Eyelid cancers occur
most often on the lower eyelid, but may be found anywhere on the eyelid margins,
corners of the eye, eyebrow skin, or adjacent areas of the face.
- eyespot
- A concentrated patch of photoreceptor cells on the skin of some species.
- eyewear: sports vision
- Specialized field of prescribing eyewear designed to be worn during sporting
activities. Growing specialty in many eye care offices, focusing on the promotion
and enforcement of proper ocular protection, including ultra-violet and sun
protection, glare protection and safety from direct impact. Protective eyewear
includes any frame or goggle made with polycarbonate lenses (plano or
prescription) designed to protect the player by maximizing ocular protection.
- extracapsular cataract extraction
- A surgical procedure that involves removing a cloudy or opaque lens (cataract) while leaving the back lens
capsule intact.
|
