glaucoma

[ glaw-koh-muh, glou- ]

/ glɔˈkoʊ mə, glaʊ- /

Save This Word!

noun

Ophthalmology. abnormally high fluid pressure in the eye, most commonly caused either by blockage of the channel through which aqueous humor drains (open-angle glaucoma, or chronic glaucoma ) or by pressure of the iris against the lens, which traps the aqueous humor (angle-closure glaucoma, or acute glaucoma ).

QUIZ

ARE YOU A TRUE BLUE CHAMPION OF THESE "BLUE" SYNONYMS?

We could talk until we're blue in the face about this quiz on words for the color "blue," but we think you should take the quiz and find out if you're a whiz at these colorful terms.

Question 1 of 8

Which of the following words describes “sky blue”?

navy

beryl

azure

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Meet Grammar Coach

Write or paste your essay, email, or story into Grammar Coach and get grammar help

Improve Your Writing

Meet Grammar CoachImprove Your Writing

Origin of glaucoma

First recorded in 1635–45; Latin glaucōma, from Greek glaúkōma “opacity of the eye lens, cataract”; see origin at glauco-, -oma (cataracts and glaucoma were not clearly distinguished until the early 18th century)

OTHER WORDS FROM glaucoma

glau·co·ma·tous

[glaw-koh-muh-tuhs, -kom-uh-, glou-], /glɔˈkoʊ mə təs, -ˈkɒm ə-, glaʊ-/, adjective

Words nearby glaucoma

Glauber's salt, Glauce, glaucescent, glauco-, glaucodot, glaucoma, glaucomatous cataract, glaucomatous cup, glaucomatous halo, glauconite, glaucophane

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

How to use glaucoma in a sentence

Bijani was born with retinopathy and glaucoma, and his sight gradually disappeared during his first four years.
Videogames for the Blind?|Winston Ross|December 16, 2012|DAILY BEAST
I have been recently diagnosed with narrow angle glaucoma in both eyes.
Why Are More Boomers Killing Themselves?|Lizzie Stark|October 22, 2008|DAILY BEAST
An iridectomy is usually performed as for glaucoma; this may be omitted.
A System of Operative Surgery, Volume IV (of 4)|Various
Glaucoma following extraction occurs as a result of (a) soft lens matter blocking the angle of the anterior chamber.
A System of Operative Surgery, Volume IV (of 4)|Various

If the lens be in the anterior chamber immediate extraction is called for, as glaucoma is a usual complication.
A System of Operative Surgery, Volume IV (of 4)|Various
Glaucoma may result from the dislocation of the nucleus into the anterior chamber and should be treated as described above.
A System of Operative Surgery, Volume IV (of 4)|Various
In acute cases and in cases of secondary glaucoma where there are many adhesions a general ansthetic is desirable.
A System of Operative Surgery, Volume IV (of 4)|Various

British Dictionary definitions for glaucoma

glaucoma

/ (ɡlɔːˈkəʊmə) /

noun

a disease of the eye in which pressure within the eyeball damages the optic disc, impairing vision, sometimes progressing to blindness

Derived forms of glaucoma

glaucomatous, adjective

Word Origin for glaucoma

C17: from Latin, from Greek glaukōma, from glaukos; see glaucous

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medical definitions for glaucoma

glaucoma

[ glou-kō′mə, glô- ]

Any of a group of eye diseases characterized by abnormally high intraocular fluid pressure, damaged optic disk, hardening of the eyeball, and partial to complete loss of vision.

Other words from glaucoma

glau•co′ma•tous (-kō′mə-təs) adj.

Scientific definitions for glaucoma

glaucoma

[ glou-kō′mə, glô- ]

A disease of the eye in which the pressure of fluid inside the eyeball is abnormally high, caused by obstructed outflow of the fluid. The increased pressure can damage the optic nerve and lead to partial or complete loss of vision.

Cultural definitions for glaucoma

glaucoma

[ (glow-koh-muh, glaw-koh-muh) ]

A disease of the eye marked by increased fluid pressure in the eyeball. Glaucoma can damage the optic nerve and may result in blindness if not treated. Surgery may be required for severe cases.