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glaucoma

[ glaw-koh-muh, glou- ]
/ glɔˈkoʊ mə, glaʊ- /

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 ).

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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. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for glaucoma

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- ]

n.

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.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.

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.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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.

The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.