Adherent leucoma is a medical term referring to a corneal scar caused by eye trauma or disease. The word is spelled as "ədˈhɪərənt liuˈkoʊmə" in International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). The first syllable is pronounced as "uhd-heer-uhnt" with the stress on the second syllable. The second word is pronounced as "loo-koh-muh," with the stress on the first syllable. Adherent leucoma can cause blurred vision and sensitivity to light. It can be treated with surgery or a corneal transplant.
Adherent leucoma is a medical condition characterized by an opacity or cloudiness in the cornea of the eye, resulting from the formation of scar tissue. This condition typically occurs as a result of severe trauma or injury to the eye, often involving penetrating wounds or chemical burns. The scar tissue that forms over the cornea becomes thick and opaque, impairing vision and causing a noticeable white or gray discoloration of the affected area.
An adherent leucoma differs from the more common forms of corneal scarring in that it specifically refers to scars that are firmly attached or fused to the underlying corneal tissue, rather than being superficial or loosely adhered. The thickened scar tissue adheres tightly to the cornea, hence the name "adherent" leucoma.
Individuals with adherent leucoma often experience significant visual impairment and may have difficulty seeing clearly or even experience complete loss of vision in the affected eye. The severity of the symptoms and the degree of visual impairment can vary depending on the extent and location of the scarring.
Treatment options for adherent leucoma include conservative management with the use of specialized contact lenses or glasses, which aim to improve vision. In cases where conservative measures are ineffective, surgical intervention, such as corneal transplantation, may be necessary to restore vision.
Anterior synechia causing a dense white cicatrix of the cornea.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The term "adherent leucoma" is a medical term used to describe a type of corneal scar. The etymology of the word can be broken down as follows:
1. Adherent: This word comes from the Latin word "adhaerens", which is the present participle of the verb "adhaerere". It means "to stick" or "to adhere". In medical terminology, "adherent" refers to something that is sticking or attached to another structure.
2. Leucoma: This word derives from the Greek word "leukos", meaning "white" or "clear". In medicine, "leucoma" refers to a white scar or opacity on the cornea of the eye.
Therefore, "adherent leucoma" can be understood as a corneal scar that is sticking or adhering to the eye's cornea.