Ophthalmology Language Workshop
Ophthalmology has what seems to be a language of its own. Particularly different are the ophthalmology surgical equipment terms. You will find it quite helpful to have your surgical word book or even ophthalmology word book handy as
you work through this FOMS unit. If you do not have an ophthalmology word book, do not despair—there are a variety
of useful and helpful online resources devoted to surgical equipment terms and ophthalmology terms.
COMMON OPHTHALMOLOGY ROOT WORDS AND COMBINING FORMS
Root Word & Combining Form
Meaning
Example
anter/o
anterior, before
anterograde degeneration
angi/o
blephar/o
canth/o
capsul/o
conjunctiv/o
dextr/o
dist/o
hom/o
irid/o
kerat/o
kor/o / cor/o
lacrim/o
my/o
odyn/o
ophthalm/o
phac/o / phak/o
phot/o
scler/o
stigmat/o
tempor/o
vessel
eyelid
canthus
capsule
conjunctiva
right
far/distant from origin
common, same
colored circle/iris
cornea
pupil
tear, crying
muscle
pain, distress
eye
lens
light
sclera
point or mark
temple
angiokeratoma
blepharitis
epicanthal
capsulorrhexis
conjunctivitis
dextrocular
distally, distortion
homonymous
iridectomy
keratoplasty
anisocoria
lacrimal
myopic
odynometer
ophthalmology
phacoemulsification
photophobia
scleritis
astigmatism
temporalis
COMMON OPHTHALMOLOGY PREFIXES
Prefix
Meaning
Example
exo-
outside
exophthalmic
dys-
hyperhypoiso-
macromicro-
difficult, abnormal
greater than normal
below normal
equal
large
small
dysgenesis
hypermature
hypopyon
isometric
macrophthalmous
microvasculopathy
COMMON OPHTHALMOLOGY SUFFIXES
Suffix
Meaning
Example
-cele
hernia
keratocele
-algia
pain
-ectasia
dilation
-edema
swelling
-ism
condition
-itis
inflammation
-megaly
enlargement
-opia/-opsia
vision
-pathy
disease
-plasty
surgical repair
-rrhexis
rupture
-spasm
twitching
COMMON OPHTHALMOLOGY ABBREVIATIONS
Abbreviation
Expansion
DCR
dacryocystorhinostomy
BSS
ECCE
IOL
I&A
KPE
MVR
OD
OS
OU
PKP
balanced salt solution
extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE)
intraocular lens
irrigation and aspiration (irrigation-aspiration)
Kelman phacoemulsification
microvitreoretinal
right eye (oculus dexter)
left eye (oculus sinister)
both eyes (oculus unitas)
penetrating keratoplasty
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ophthalmalgia
telangiectasia
corneal edema
astigmatism
dacryocystitis
trichomegaly
diplopia
retinopathy
blepharoplasty
capsulorrhexis
blepharospasm