Hyperphoria is a medical term that refers to an eye condition where one eye is higher than the other. The spelling of hyperphoria is [hahy-per-fawr-ee-uh]. The first syllable "hahy" rhymes with "pie" and stresses the second syllable "-per." The second syllable "fawr" has the same vowel sound as "or," and the last two syllables are pronounced as "-ee-uh." The word's spelling is derived from Greek, with "hyper" meaning "above" or "over," and "phoria" meaning "carrying" or "bearing."
Hyperphoria is a medical term used in the field of optometry and ophthalmology to describe a condition in which there is an abnormal deviation in the alignment of the eyes while focusing on a single point. Specifically, hyperphoria refers to a higher position of one eye relative to the other when the eyes are in a straight-ahead gaze. This condition can occur due to various reasons, such as muscular imbalance or nerve damage, leading to a misalignment of the eyes along the vertical plane.
In hyperphoria, one eye is positioned higher than the other, causing the individual to experience difficulties in binocular vision and depth perception. Symptoms may include vertical diplopia (double vision), eyestrain, headaches, or an uncomfortable sensation during activities that require close attention, such as reading or using a computer.
To diagnose hyperphoria, optometrists and ophthalmologists may perform various tests, including the cover-uncover test, alternate cover test, and prism evaluation. These tests measure the degree of vertical deviation and aim to determine the severity and type of hyperphoria present.
Treatment options for hyperphoria depend on the underlying cause and may include prescription glasses with prism lenses, vision therapy exercises to improve eye coordination and alignment, or in severe cases, surgical intervention. A thorough evaluation by an eye care professional is crucial to determine the appropriate treatment plan for individuals with hyperphoria.
A tendency of the visual axis of one eye to rise above that of its normal fellow.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "hyperphoria" is derived from the combination of two Greek roots: "hyper" meaning "over" or "above" and "phora" meaning "to bear" or "to carry". In the field of ophthalmology, hyperphoria refers to an eye condition where one eye deviates or turns slightly upward in relation to the other eye.