KERATALGIA Meaning and
Definition
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Keratalgia is a medical term that refers to the sensation of pain or discomfort within the cornea, the clear outer layer of the eye. Primarily, it is characterized by a sharp, stinging, or burning pain in the cornea, which may be intensified upon blinking or eye movement. Keratalgia can be a symptom of various underlying conditions, including corneal abrasions, infections, dry eye syndrome, corneal ulcers, or other types of ocular trauma.
Typically, individuals experiencing keratalgia may also report additional symptoms such as eye redness, excessive tearing, sensitivity to light, blurred vision, or a feeling of having a foreign body in the eye. The discomfort can range from mild to severe, and its duration may vary depending on the cause of the condition and the effectiveness of treatment.
Diagnosis of keratalgia involves comprehensive eye examinations, including visual acuity tests, slit-lamp microscopy, and evaluation of the cornea's integrity and structure. Treatment for keratalgia aims to address the underlying cause and alleviate the pain and discomfort. This may involve the use of topical or oral medications, artificial tears to lubricate the eyes, corticosteroid eye drops, antibiotics, or other recommended interventions based on the specific condition identified.
It is crucial for individuals experiencing symptoms of keratalgia to seek prompt medical attention from an eye care professional to determine the cause and receive appropriate treatment, as untreated corneal conditions can potentially lead to vision loss.
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Ceratalgia, pain in the cornea.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for KERATALGIA
- jeratalgia
- meratalgia
- leratalgia
- oeratalgia
- ieratalgia
- kwratalgia
- ksratalgia
- kdratalgia
- krratalgia
- k4ratalgia
- k3ratalgia
- keeatalgia
- kedatalgia
- kefatalgia
- ketatalgia
- ke5atalgia
- ke4atalgia
- kerztalgia
- kerstalgia
Etymology of KERATALGIA
"Keratalgia" is a compound word derived from the Greek roots "keras" and "algos".
- "Keras" (κέρας) means "horn" or "hard structure", and in biological terms, it refers specifically to the "horny" or hard part of certain anatomical structures.
- "Algē" (ἄλγος) means "pain" or "distress".
Combining these roots, "keratalgia" literally translates to "pain of the horn" or "pain of the hard structure". In medical terminology, it commonly refers to pain in the cornea, which is a transparent, dome-shaped layer that covers the front of the eye.
