amaurosis

[ am-aw-roh-sis ]

noun

1. partial or total loss of sight, especially in the absence of a gross lesion or injury.

amaurosis

/ ˌæmɔːˈrəʊsɪs; ˌæmɔːˈrɒtɪk /

noun

1. pathol blindness, esp when occurring without observable damage to the eye

Derived Forms

• amaurotic, adjective

Other Words From

• am·au·rot·ic [am-aw-, rot, -ik], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of amaurosis¹

1650–60; < Greek: darkening, hindrance to sight, equivalent to amaur ( ós ) dim, dark + -ōsis -osis

Word History and Origins

Origin of amaurosis¹

C17: via New Latin from Greek: darkening, from amauroun to dim, darken

Example Sentences

The findings deepen understanding of how mutations in the RPE65 enzyme cause retinal diseases, especially Leber congenital amaurosis, a devastating childhood blinding disease.

From Science Daily

Trial participants have Leber congenital amaurosis type 10, caused by a mutated gene that the trial aimed to fix.

From Science Magazine

In previous studies, researchers have been able to treat a genetic form of blindness called Leber congenital amaurosis, by fixing a faulty gene that would otherwise cause photoreceptors to gradually degenerate.

From New York Times

The people in this study have Leber congenital amaurosis, caused by a gene mutation that keeps the body from making a protein needed to convert light into signals to the brain, which enables sight.

From Washington Times

“Sometimes there’s a kind of stroke that can mimic retinal migraine called amaurosis fugax – which means a fleeting visual disturbance – and that’s micro clots passing through the blood vessels,” Munro explains.

From The Guardian