METASTATIC OPHTHALMIA Meaning and
Definition
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Metastatic ophthalmia, also known as sympathetic ophthalmia, is a rare disorder in which inflammation occurs in both eyes following a penetrating injury or surgery to one eye. It is characterized by a non-infectious, autoimmune-mediated inflammatory response that affects both the injured eye, called the inciting eye, and the uninjured contralateral eye.
In metastatic ophthalmia, the immune system mistakenly recognizes the injured eye as foreign and launches an inflammatory attack. The immune response then spreads to the unaffected eye through the bloodstream or the lymphatic system. This leads to inflammation in both eyes, causing symptoms such as redness, pain, blurred vision, sensitivity to light, and possibly, progressive vision loss if left untreated.
The exact mechanism of metastatic ophthalmia is not fully understood, but it is believed to involve an autoimmune response to antigens released from the injured eye. The condition is considered a rare complication of ocular trauma or surgery, and its incidence has significantly decreased with modern surgical techniques and improved eye care practices.
Prompt diagnosis and treatment are crucial in metastatic ophthalmia to prevent irreversible damage to the eye structures and preserve vision. Treatment typically involves the use of corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive medications to suppress the immune response and reduce inflammation. In severe cases, surgery may be required to remove the inciting eye if it becomes a continued source of inflammation for the contralateral eye.
Overall, metastatic ophthalmia is a potentially sight-threatening condition that requires immediate medical attention and comprehensive treatment to prevent complications and preserve visual function in both eyes.
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Sympathetic o., chorioiditis in pyemia.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for METASTATIC OPHTHALMIA
- netastatic ophthalmia
- ketastatic ophthalmia
- jetastatic ophthalmia
- mwtastatic ophthalmia
- mstastatic ophthalmia
- mdtastatic ophthalmia
- mrtastatic ophthalmia
- m4tastatic ophthalmia
- m3tastatic ophthalmia
- merastatic ophthalmia
- mefastatic ophthalmia
- megastatic ophthalmia
- meyastatic ophthalmia
- me6astatic ophthalmia
- me5astatic ophthalmia
- metzstatic ophthalmia
- metsstatic ophthalmia
- metwstatic ophthalmia
- metqstatic ophthalmia
- metaatatic ophthalmia
Etymology of METASTATIC OPHTHALMIA
The term "metastatic ophthalmia" is a medical term used to describe a condition where inflammation spreads to the eye from another part of the body, typically through the bloodstream. Analyzing the etymology of this term can be broken down as follows:
1. Metastatic: The word "metastatic" is derived from the Greek word "metastasis", which means "change" or "transfer". In medicine, "metastasis" refers to the spread of a disease, usually cancer, from one part of the body to another that is not directly connected.
2. Ophthalmia: The word "ophthalmia" has its roots in the ancient Greek word "ophthalmos", meaning "eye". In medical terminology, "ophthalmia" generally refers to inflammation of the eye.
