ophthalm-

¹

1. variant of ophthalmo- before a vowel:

   ophthalmitis.

ophthalm.

²

or ophthalmol

abbreviation for

1. ophthalmology.

Words That Use Ophthalm-

What does ophthalm- mean?

Ophthalm- is a combining form used like a prefix meaning “eye.” It is occasionally used in medical terms, especially in anatomy and pathology.

Ophthalm- comes from the Greek ophthalmós, meaning “eye.” Related to ophthalmós is ṓps, Greek for “eye” or “face,” and source of such combining forms as -opia, -opsia, and opto-. The Latin word for “eye” is oculus, source of the combining form oculo-.

Ophthalm- is a variant of ophthalmo-, which loses its -o– when combined with words or word elements beginning with vowels.

Want to know more? Read our Words That Use ophthalmo- article.

Examples of ophthalm-

One example of a medical term that features the combining form ophthalm- is ophthalmalgia, “pain in the eyeball.”

The first part of the word, ophthalm-, means “eye.” The second part, -algia, means “pain.” Ophthalmalgia literally translates to “eye pain.”

What are some words that use or are related to the combining form ophthalm-?

• ophthalmia (from the Greek ophthalmía)
• ophthalmic (from the Greek ophthalmikós)
• ophthalmic nerve
• ophthalmic artery
• ophthalmitis (using the equivalent of the form of ophthalm- in New Latin)

What are some other forms that ophthalm- may be commonly confused with?

 

• oophoro-
• opistho-

 

Break it down!

The suffix -itis is often used to name the inflammation of an organ. What does the medical condition of ophthalmitis involve?