ophthalmo-

Ophthalmo- is a combining form used like a prefix meaning “eye.” It is often used in medical terms, especially in anatomy and pathology.

Ophthalmo- comes from the Greek ophthalmós, meaning “eye.” Related to ophthalmós is ṓps, Greek for “eye” or “face,” and source of such combining forms as -opia, -opsia, and opto-. The Latin word for “eye” is oculus, source of the combining form oculo-.

What are variants of ophthalmo-?

When combined with words or word elements that begin with a vowel, ophthalmo- becomes ophthalm-, as in ophthalmalgia.

An example of a word you may have encountered that features ophthalmo- is ophthalmology, “the branch of medical science dealing with the anatomy, functions, and diseases of the eye.”

We know ophthalmo- means “eye.” What about the -logy portion of the word? That’s right, -logy is used to name domains of science or bodies of knowledge. Ophthalmology literally translates to “the study of the eye.”

What are some words that use the combining form ophthalmo-?

• ophthalmodynamometer
• ophthalmography
• ophthalmolith
• ophthalmologist
• ophthalmomalacia
• ophthalmometer
• ophthalmopathy
• ophthalmoscope

What are some other forms that ophthalmo- may be commonly confused with?

• oophoro-
• opistho-

The combining form -scope means “an instrument for viewing.” With this in mind, what, generally speaking, is an ophthalmoscope used for?