8 Glossary

Anophthalmia

The complete absence of a globe.

Anterior synechia

Adherence of the iris to the corneal.

Anterior uveitis

Inflammation of the iris and ciliary body.

Buphthalmos

Enlargement of the globe, often presenting as eyes mildly protruding from the orbit.

Cataract

The opacification of the lens.

Choroiditis

Inflammation of the choroid.

Coloboma

A hole in one of the structures of the eye, typically the iris, but may be present in the retina, choroid, or optic disc.

Conjunctiva

The mucous membrane extending from the palpebral margin of the eyelid to the edge of the cornea.

Descemetocele

Protrusion of Descemet’s membrane through a defect in the corneal stroma, typically the result of a melting ulcer.

Ectropion uvea

Abnormal deviation of the iris anteriorly (towards the cornea), often caused by contraction of a pre-iridial fibrovascular membrane.

Endophthalmitis

Inflammation of the iris, ciliary body, choroid, anterior and posterior chambers, and/or vitreous.

Entropion uvea

Abnormal deviation of the iris posteriorly (towards the lens), often caused by contraction of a posterior iridial fibrovascular membrane.

Globe

The eyeball without its appendages.

Hyphema

Blood within the anterior chamber.

Hypopyon

Pus within the anterior chamber.

Iris bombe

Anterior bowing of the iris secondary to increased pressure within the posterior chamber caused by a complete posterior synechia.

Keratitis

Inflammation of the cornea.

Keratomalacia

Liquefactive necrosis of the corneal stroma.

Limbus

The junction of the cornea and the sclera.

Melting ulcer

A rapidly progressing ulcer, in which the ulcer deepens, often leading to Descmetocoele.

Microphthalmia

A small globe within a normal orbit.

Panophthalmitis

Inflammation of the sclera in addition to the same structures as endophthalmitis.

Phthisis bulbi

An end-stage globe that is shrunken and disorganized.

Posterior synechia

Adherence of the iris to the lens capsule.

Synechia

Adherence of the inflamed iris to either the lens or cornea (see anterior and posterior synechia).

Uvea

The vascular portion of the eye, composed of the iris, ciliary body, and choroid.

Uveitis

Inflammation of the iris, ciliary body, and choroid.