xerophthalmia

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

nounOphthalmology.
  1. abnormal dryness of the eyeball characterized by conjunctivitis, caused by a deficiency of tears and attributed to a lack of vitamin A.

Origin of xerophthalmia

1
1650–60; xer- + ophthalmia

Other words from xerophthalmia

  • xe·roph·thal·mic, adjective

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British Dictionary definitions for xerophthalmia

xerophthalmia

/ (ˌzɪərɒfˈθælmɪə) /


noun
  1. pathol excessive dryness of the cornea and conjunctiva, caused by a deficiency of vitamin A: Also called: xeroma (zɪˈrəʊmə)

Derived forms of xerophthalmia

  • xerophthalmic, adjective

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