Overview
This lesson introduces essential medical terminology for the ophthalmologic (eye) system, focusing on common prefixes, suffixes, and the structure of key terms used to describe eye anatomy and conditions.
Ophthalmologic System Terminology
- "Ophthalmologic" means pertaining to the study of the eyes.
- The prefix "ophthalm/o" refers to the eye.
- The prefix "opt/o" also refers to the eye, as in optic or optometrist.
- The suffix "-opia" means a condition of the eye.
- The prefix "my-" refers to short-sightedness (myopia) in eye terminology, not muscle.
- The prefix "hyper-" means farsightedness (hyperopia) in eye terms.
- The prefix "presby-" refers to issues with lens focusing (presbyopia).
Key Eye Anatomy Terms
- "Conjunctiv-" refers to the conjunctiva, the membrane surrounding the eye (conjunctivitis = conjunctiva inflammation).
- "Scler-" refers to the sclera, the white part of the eye (scleritis = sclera inflammation).
- "Ir-/irid-" refers to the iris, the colored eye muscle controlling the pupil (iritis = iris inflammation).
- "Blephar-" refers to the eyelid (blepharitis = eyelid inflammation).
- "Lacrim-" refers to tears (lacrimal = tear-related; lacrimation = tear production).
- "-coria" is a suffix meaning a condition of the pupils.
Deep Eye Anatomy Prefixes
- "Corn-/corne-" refers to the cornea (corneal abrasion).
- "Aque-" refers to aqueous humor, the eye's front fluid.
- "Phac-/phako-" refers to the lens of the eye.
- "Vitr-/vitrio-" refers to vitreous humor, the main inner eye fluid.
- "Retin-/retina-" refers to the retina, the light-sensitive back layer (retinopathy = retina disease).
Practice Breaking Down Terms
- "Pseudophakia": pseudo (false) + phakia (lens) = condition of a false lens (after cataract surgery).
- "Blepharitis": blephar (eyelid) + itis (inflammation) = inflammation of the eyelids.
- "Vitrectomy": vitr (vitreous humor) + ectomy (removal) = surgical removal of vitreous humor.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Ophthalm/o — eye
- Opt/o — eye
- -opia — condition of the eye
- My- — short-sightedness (in eyes)
- Hyper- — farsightedness (in eyes)
- Presby- — age-related lens focusing issues
- Conjunctiv- — conjunctiva
- Scler- — sclera (eye white)
- Ir-/irid- — iris
- Blephar- — eyelid
- Lacrim- — tears
- -coria — pupil condition
- Corn-/corne- — cornea
- Aque- — aqueous humor
- Phac-/phako- — lens
- Vitr-/vitrio- — vitreous humor
- Retin-/retina- — retina
- -itis — inflammation
- Pseudo- — false
- -ectomy — surgical removal
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review and memorize the listed prefixes, suffixes, and root words for the ophthalmologic system.
- Practice breaking down unfamiliar ophthalmology terms using these components.