sclera

American  

[skleer-uh] / ˈsklɪər ə /

noun

Anatomy.

1. a dense, white, fibrous membrane that, with the cornea, forms the external covering of the eyeball.

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sclera British  

/ ˈsklɪərə /

noun

1. Also called: sclerotic.  the firm white fibrous membrane that forms the outer covering of the eyeball

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sclera Scientific  

/ sklîr′ə /

1. The tough, white, fibrous tissue that covers all of the eyeball except the cornea.

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Etymology

Origin of sclera

1885–90; < New Latin < Greek sklērá (feminine) hard

Example Sentences

Uveitis is a rare inflammatory disease of the choroid of the eye, which lies between the retina and the sclera.

From Science Daily • Apr. 25, 2024

“The Bachelor” star Joey Graziadei shared Thursday that he has Gilbert syndrome, a liver condition that explains why the sclera — the white outer coating — of his eyes appear yellow.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 1, 2024

Amid criticism, Moore later retracted his claim, saying he had only transplanted the eye’s outer portion—the sclera and cornea.

From Scientific American • Nov. 9, 2023

Separately, the sclera, the eye’s outer layer, would most closely resemble those of horses and cows and include a nictitating membrane, the built-in goggles that make it possible to see underwater.

From New York Times • Dec. 30, 2022

They were this stunning gray, so light the irises almost blended in with the sclera.

From "Burning Blue" by Paul Griffin