MICROPHTHALMIA Meaning and
Definition
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Microphthalmia is a medical condition characterized by a smaller-than-normal size of the eyeballs. The word "microphthalmia" is derived from the Greek words "micros," meaning small, and "ophthalmos," meaning eye. It refers to a congenital malformation that occurs during embryonic development, resulting in significantly smaller eyes with reduced or limited functionality.
Individuals with microphthalmia typically exhibit bilateral involvement, meaning both eyes are affected. However, in some cases, the condition may only affect one eye, referred to as unilateral microphthalmia. The severity of microphthalmia can vary, and affected individuals may experience a range of visual impairments, including blurred vision, difficulty focusing, or even complete blindness in severe cases.
Microphthalmia often occurs alongside other ocular anomalies or systemic disorders, such as cataracts, glaucoma, retinal detachment, or developmental abnormalities in the optic nerve. It can also be associated with other physical malformations, including craniofacial abnormalities and skeletal defects. The condition may be caused by genetic mutations, prenatal exposure to certain harmful substances, or other external factors.
Treatment for microphthalmia focuses on managing the associated visual impairments and addressing any concurrent health issues. Options may include eyeglasses or contact lenses to correct refractive errors, surgical interventions to improve eye alignment or manage glaucoma, and educational support to enhance visual functioning and adapt to any limitations caused by the condition. Regular eye examinations and ongoing medical care are crucial to monitor and manage the visual health of individuals with microphthalmia.
Common Misspellings for MICROPHTHALMIA
- nicrophthalmia
- kicrophthalmia
- jicrophthalmia
- mucrophthalmia
- mjcrophthalmia
- mkcrophthalmia
- mocrophthalmia
- m9crophthalmia
- m8crophthalmia
- mixrophthalmia
- mivrophthalmia
- mifrophthalmia
- midrophthalmia
- miceophthalmia
- micdophthalmia
- micfophthalmia
- mictophthalmia
- mic5ophthalmia
- mic4ophthalmia
- micriphthalmia
Etymology of MICROPHTHALMIA
The word "microphthalmia" is derived from two Greek roots: "micros" meaning small, and "ophthalmos" meaning eye. The suffix "-ia" is added to indicate a medical condition or disorder. Therefore, "microphthalmia" literally translates to "small eye" and is used in medical terminology to describe a congenital condition characterized by abnormally small eyes.
