ophthalmology

American  

[of-thuhl-mol-uh-jee, -thuh-, -thal-, op-] / ˌɒf θəlˈmɒl ə dʒi, -θə-, -θæl-, ˌɒp- /

noun

1. the branch of medical science dealing with the anatomy, functions, and diseases of the eye.

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ophthalmology British  

/ ˌɒfθælˈmɒlədʒɪ, ɒfˌθælməˈlɒdʒɪkəl /

noun

1. the branch of medicine concerned with the eye and its diseases

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ophthalmology Scientific  

/ ŏf′thəl-mŏl′ə-jē,ŏp′- /

1. The scientific study of the eye, its diseases, and their treatment.

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ophthalmology Cultural  

1. The branch of medicine devoted to the study and care of the eye.

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Other Word Forms

• ophthalmologic adjective
• ophthalmological adjective

Etymology

Origin of ophthalmology

First recorded in 1835–45; ophthalmo- + -logy

Example Sentences

Erbium is used in various medical fields, including dentistry, dermatology and ophthalmology.

From Barron's • Feb. 4, 2026

After several years of working in the ophthalmology office, McFadden was diagnosed with thyroid cancer and suffered from other health challenges, including struggling to walk, and she stopped working.

From MarketWatch • Dec. 19, 2025

The 28-year-old ophthalmology technician from New York said he uses his grandmother as a Fast Pass through the airport.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 18, 2025

The research was co-led by José-Alain Sahel, MD, professor of ophthalmology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, with Frank Holz, MD, of the University of Bonn in Germany, serving as lead author.

From Science Daily • Oct. 22, 2025

Like Helmholtz, he developed into a scientist with many interests, though he was known early in his career for ophthalmology and for establishing the first eye hospital in the Netherlands in 1858.

From "A Deadly Wandering: A Mystery, a Landmark Investigation, and the Astonishing Science of Attention in the Digital Age" by Matt Richtel