How Do You Spell XEROMA?

Pronunciation: [zi͡əɹˈə͡ʊmə] (IPA)

Xeroma is a term used in ophthalmology to refer to a dryness of the conjunctiva and cornea caused by a lack of tears. The IPA phonetic transcription of this word is /zɛˈroʊmə/. The first letter, "x," is pronounced as "z" because it acts as a substitute for the Greek letter "ξ" (xi), which also has the "z" sound. The "e" in the second syllable is pronounced as a short "e" sound, and the stress is on the second syllable. The final "a" is pronounced as a short "uh" sound.

XEROMA Meaning and Definition

1. Xeroma is a rarely used medical term that refers to the abnormal dryness or lack of moisture in the eyes or the eye surface. It is derived from the Greek words "xero" meaning dry and "oma" meaning condition or state. Xeroma is also known as xerophthalmia, which is a more commonly used term to describe this eye disorder.

   The condition typically occurs due to a deficiency of tears or inadequate tear production, leading to dry and irritated eyes. This can result from a variety of factors, including certain medications, systemic diseases like Sjogren's syndrome, hormonal changes, or environmental factors such as excessive exposure to dry air or low humidity conditions.

   Symptoms of xeroma may include persistent eye dryness, itchiness, redness, gritty or sandy sensation, blurred vision, and increased sensitivity to light. In severe cases, it can lead to corneal damage or other vision complications if left untreated.

   Treatment for xeroma primarily focuses on relieving the symptoms and increasing eye moisture levels. This may involve using artificial tears, lubricating eye drops or ointments, avoiding irritants like wind or smoke, using humidifiers, and maintaining good eyelid hygiene. In some cases, management of the underlying cause or systemic condition may be necessary to alleviate xeroma.

   Regular eye examinations and consultation with an ophthalmologist are crucial for the accurate diagnosis and appropriate management of xeroma to prevent any potential complications and maintain optimal eye health.

2. Xerophthalmia.

   A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

Common Misspellings for XEROMA

• zeroma
• ceroma
• deroma
• seroma
• xwroma
• xsroma
• xdroma
• xrroma
• x4roma
• x3roma
• xeeoma
• xedoma
• xefoma
• xetoma
• xe5oma
• xe4oma
• xerima
• xerkma
• xerlma
• xerpma

Etymology of XEROMA

The word "xeroma" does not have a well-established etymology since it is not commonly used in the English language. However, by breaking down the word, one can speculate on its origins.

The term "xer-" comes from the Greek word "xero-" (ξηρός), meaning "dry". This prefix is commonly used in scientific and medical terminology to denote dryness or a lack of moisture. Examples of words with the same prefix include "xerophyte" (a plant adapted to dry environments) and "xerostomia" (dry mouth).

The suffix "-ma" is a common suffix used in medical and scientific vocabulary to indicate a condition, disease, or an abnormality. It is derived from the Greek noun-forming suffix "-ma" (μα) and is often used to create nouns referring to specific pathological conditions.