ophthalmia

[of-thal-mee-uh, op-]

noun

1. inflammation of the eye, especially of its membranes or external structures.

ophthalmia

/ ɒfˈθælmɪə /

noun

1. inflammation of the eye, often including the conjunctiva

Other Word Forms

• ophthalmiac noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of ophthalmia¹

1350–1400; < Late Latin < Greek ophthalmía, equivalent to ophthalm ( ós ) eye + -ia -ia; replacing Middle English obtalmia < Medieval Latin, Late Latin as above

Word History and Origins

Origin of ophthalmia¹

C16: via Late Latin from Greek, from ophthalmos eye; see _optic

Example Sentences

“Bernard! How can you?” the passage of an old woman with ophthalmia and a disease of the skin distracted her from her indignation.

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But without glancing at the group, he sent for Ali who had to remain in the rear because he was suffering from painful ophthalmia.

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We dread the attacks of ophthalmia, as the surgeons call it; we call it commonly the blight in our eyes.

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So we speak of the great class of sequel� of acute or subacute disorders; as, ophthalmia after measles, deafness following scarlet fever, or blindness small-pox, abscesses following typhoid fever, paralysis diphtheria, etc.

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Practically all the severe eye diseases of newly born children, the ophthalmia from which so many eyes are lost, is due to this disease.

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