xerophthalmia
[ zeer-of-thal-mee-uh, -op- ]
nounOphthalmology.
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
11650–60; xer- + ophthalmia
Other words from xerophthalmia
- xe·roph·thal·mic, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
British Dictionary definitions for xerophthalmia
xerophthalmia
/ (ˌzɪərɒfˈθælmɪə) /
noun
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
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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