glaucoma

[ glaw-koh-muh, glou- ]

noun

1. Ophthalmology. abnormally high fluid pressure in the eye, most commonly caused either by blockage of the channel through which aqueous humor drains open-angle glaucoma, or chronic glaucoma or by pressure of the iris against the lens, which traps the aqueous humor angle-closure glaucoma, or acute glaucoma.

glaucoma

/ ɡlɔːˈkəʊmə /

noun

1. a disease of the eye in which pressure within the eyeball damages the optic disc, impairing vision, sometimes progressing to blindness

glaucoma

/ glou-kō′mə,glô- /

1. A disease of the eye in which the pressure of fluid inside the eyeball is abnormally high, caused by obstructed outflow of the fluid. The increased pressure can damage the optic nerve and lead to partial or complete loss of vision.

glaucoma

1. A disease of the eye marked by increased fluid pressure in the eyeball. Glaucoma can damage the optic nerve and may result in blindness if not treated. Surgery may be required for severe cases.

Derived Forms

• glauˈcomatous, adjective

Other Words From

• glau·co·ma·tous [glaw-, koh, -m, uh, -t, uh, s, -, kom, -, uh, -, glou-], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of glaucoma¹

First recorded in 1635–45; Latin glaucōma, from Greek glaúkōma “opacity of the eye lens, cataract”; glauco-, -oma (cataracts and glaucoma were not clearly distinguished until the early 18th century)

Word History and Origins

Origin of glaucoma¹

C17: from Latin, from Greek glaukōma, from glaukos; see glaucous

Example Sentences

Smith had been candid about her health issues in the past, suffering from glaucoma, Graves’ disease and breast cancer, and she underwent hip-replacement surgery in her 80s.

From Los Angeles Times

He was 12 years into a 76-year prison sentence when he was freed in December after The Exoneration Project showed that the eyewitness had advanced glaucoma and lied about his eyesight issues.

From Seattle Times

Many ocular diseases cause abnormalities in a person's ERG signals, including glaucoma, retinitis pigmentosa, and diabetic retinopathy.

From Science Daily

While detecting a subtle increase in eye pressure helps doctors to diagnose glaucoma, it's challenging to monitor continuously, especially with the variety of temperatures eyes experience.

From Science Daily

The technology continues to advance, with clinical studies for additional cameras — including a handheld imager that can screen patients in the field — and looking at other eye diseases, like glaucoma.

From Seattle Times