The word "aphakic" refers to an eye condition where the lens is surgically removed. The spelling of this word can be explained using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) phonetic transcription. The first syllable "a" is pronounced as [ə], which is the schwa sound. The second syllable "pha" is pronounced with the sound [f], followed by the long a sound [eɪ]. The final syllable "kic" is pronounced with a hard "k" sound [k], followed by the short i sound [ɪ] and the final consonant sound [k].
Aphakic is an adjective that pertains to a condition in which a person's natural lens is absent from the eye. It is most commonly used in the medical field, specifically in ophthalmology, to describe individuals who have undergone a surgical procedure called aphakia, resulting in the removal of the crystalline lens of the eye. This can occur due to various reasons, such as cataract surgery, trauma, or congenital abnormalities.
Being aphakic means that the eye lacks the lens that is typically responsible for focusing light onto the retina, resulting in blurred vision. To counteract this, aphakic patients are typically prescribed corrective eyewear, such as contact lenses or glasses, that assist in focusing light properly onto the retina and improving visual acuity.
Furthermore, aphakic can also refer to the condition of an artificial intraocular lens (IOL) being implanted in place of the natural lens, acting as a replacement. In such cases, the term "pseudoaphakic" is often used to differentiate between artificial lens implantation and complete absence of a lens.
Overall, the term aphakic is primarily employed to describe individuals who lack a natural lens in their eye, whether due to surgical removal or congenital absence, and highlights the need for corrective measures to enhance visual function and clarity.
The word "aphakic" is derived from the Greek term "aphakos" (ἄφακος), which means "without a lens". It is a combination of the prefix "a-" meaning "without" and "phakos" meaning "lens". In the field of medicine, particularly ophthalmology, the term "aphakic" refers to the absence of the lens in the eye, often due to trauma, surgical removal, or congenital absence.