SYNOPHTHALMIA Meaning and
Definition
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Synophthalmia is a rare medical condition characterized by the fusion or fusion-like appearance of the eyes. It is a term derived from two Greek words, "syn" meaning together and "ophthalmos" meaning eye. Synophthalmia is also known as cyclopia or holoprosencephaly, a condition associated with abnormal brain development.
In synophthalmia, the eyes are closely spaced and appear to be fused together, resulting in a single eye structure or a partially divided structure. This fusion can be complete, resulting in the formation of a single large eye socket, or partial, creating a smaller shared socket with two individual eyes. The fused eyes may have a single iris or two separate irises, and the arrangement and formation of internal eye structures can vary.
Synophthalmia is a severe congenital anomaly that usually leads to significant visual impairment or blindness. It is often associated with other facial and cranial abnormalities, such as a single nostril, absence of a nose, or a severely underdeveloped upper lip.
The causes of synophthalmia are not fully understood, but genetic factors and environmental influences during pregnancy are believed to play a role. The condition can be diagnosed through a physical examination, ultrasound, or genetic testing.
Treatment for synophthalmia focuses on managing associated complications and improving quality of life. This may involve surgical interventions to address issues such as breathing and feeding difficulties, as well as providing early intervention services to support developmental milestones.
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Cyclopia, congenital fusion of the eyes.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for SYNOPHTHALMIA
- aynophthalmia
- zynophthalmia
- xynophthalmia
- dynophthalmia
- eynophthalmia
- wynophthalmia
- stnophthalmia
- sgnophthalmia
- shnophthalmia
- sunophthalmia
- s7nophthalmia
- s6nophthalmia
- sybophthalmia
- symophthalmia
- syjophthalmia
- syhophthalmia
- syniphthalmia
- synkphthalmia
- synlphthalmia
- synpphthalmia
Etymology of SYNOPHTHALMIA
The word synophthalmia is derived from the combination of two Greek roots: syn meaning together and ophthalmos meaning eye. In medical terminology, synophthalmia refers to a rare congenital condition in which the individual's eyes are merged into a single fused structure, also known as cyclopia.
