The word "ophthalmectomy" refers to the surgical removal of an eye. It is spelt as /ɒfˌθælmɛkˈtəmi/ in phonetic transcription. The first syllable "ophthalmo" refers to the eye, while the second part "ectomy" indicates the surgical removal of a body part. The letters "phth" are pronounced as a single sound /θ/, which may make the word tricky to spell without knowledge of its phonetic makeup. This procedure is performed for a variety of medical reasons, including cancer or severe injury to the eye.
Ophthalmectomy is a medical procedure that involves the surgical removal of the entire eye or a part of it. The term ophthalmectomy is derived from the combination of two words: "ophthalmos" means "eye" and "ectomy" refers to the excision or removal of a specified part or organ. This surgical intervention is primarily performed to treat various serious eye conditions, including advanced forms of eye cancer, irreparable damage to the eye due to trauma or infection, uncontrollable eye pain, and in cases where the eye has become blind and non-functional.
During an ophthalmectomy, a team of highly skilled eye surgeons typically make an incision around the eye area to gain access to the eye socket. They carefully disconnect and sever the connections of the eye from surrounding tissues while ensuring minimal damage to the surrounding structures. Once the surgical removal is complete, the ophthalmologist will close the incision with sutures or staples, and the patient will be monitored for any signs of infection or post-operative complications.
Ophthalmectomy is considered a major surgical intervention due to its impact on a person's vision and overall ocular health. It is only employed when all other treatment options have been exhausted or when the eye condition is irreparable, and the risk of complications outweighs the potential benefits of maintaining the eye. The decision to proceed with an ophthalmectomy is typically made after a comprehensive evaluation by an ophthalmologist and in collaboration with the patient.
Enucleation of the eyeball, removal of the entire eyeball.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "ophthalmectomy" is derived from two Greek roots: "ophthalmos", meaning "eye", and "ektomē", meaning "removal" or "excision". Put together, "ophthalmectomy" literally means the surgical removal or excision of an eye.