Antimetropia is a medical term that refers to a condition where a person's eyes have different refractive properties. The spelling of the word can be broken down using IPA phonetic transcription. The "an-" prefix means "against" or "opposite," while "tímetr" refers to "measuring." The "-o" and "-p" combine to create a "ohp" sound, and the "-ia" suffix indicates a medical condition. Thus, the correct spelling of antimetropia reflects the opposite refractive error of the two eyes.
Antimetropia is a medical term used to describe a condition of the eyes where one eye is nearsighted (myopic) while the other eye is farsighted (hyperopic). It is a specific form of anisometropia, which refers to a difference in refractive power between the two eyes.
This condition occurs when the axial length of one eye is longer or shorter than the other, causing a discrepancy in the focusing power. As a result, individuals with antimetropia may experience blurred or distorted vision, difficulty in focusing, eye strain, and headaches.
Antimetropia can present challenges in visual perception and depth perception, as the brain needs to integrate the visual images produced by each eye. The brain often employs various adaptive mechanisms to cope with this condition, such as suppressing or filtering out some of the conflicting visual information.
Diagnosis of antimetropia involves comprehensive eye examinations, including the measurement of refractive errors using instruments like autorefractors or retinoscopes. Treatment options for antimetropia may include corrective lenses, contact lenses, or vision therapy. These interventions aim to provide the necessary refractive correction and help the eyes work together more effectively.
Regular eye examinations are essential to detect and manage antimetropia, especially in children, as untreated cases can potentially lead to amblyopia (lazy eye) or other visual abnormalities. With proper diagnosis and appropriate interventions, individuals with antimetropia can achieve improved visual acuity and overall visual comfort.
A form of anisometropia in which one eye is myopic and the other hypermetropic.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "antimetropia" is derived from two Greek roots: "anti" meaning "against" or "opposite", and "metron" meaning "measure". In ophthalmology, "antimetropia" refers to a condition in which one eye is nearsighted (myopia) while the other eye is farsighted (hyperopia). The term is used to describe an abnormal difference in refractive power between the two eyes, leading to an imbalance in vision.