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

She finally landed a steady job working at an ophthalmology practice as a technician and retinal photographer.

From MarketWatch • Dec. 19, 2025

Normally, Joseph would’ve excused herself early, since she had to be at work at 7:45 a.m. for her job as a receptionist at a private ophthalmology practice.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 1, 2025

Kavitha Kumar, head of ophthalmology at Hamidia Hospital in Bhopal, says that patients have been coming in with mild, moderate and severe eye injuries.

From BBC • Oct. 27, 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