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Glite Dictionary
ophthalmitis

ophthalmitis

9.9
A condition that causes severe redness, swelling, and pain in the eye
  • noun
  • /ˌɑfθəlˈmaɪtɪs/
  • Specialized
translation icon : oftalmitis
  • Prompt treatment is essential in cases of ophthalmitis to prevent vision loss.

Examples

  • The patient developed ophthalmitis following cataract surgery.

  • Severe redness and pain can be signs of ophthalmitis.

  • He has ophthalmitis.

  • Don't ignore ophthalmitis!

  • Prompt treatment is essential in cases of ophthalmitis to prevent vision loss.

  • Severe redness and pain can be signs of ophthalmitis.

  • The patient developed ophthalmitis following cataract surgery.

Synonyms

pinkeye
vsophthalmitis
5 3.8

A contagious infection of the eye that makes it red and produces sticky discharge

is similar but not always contagious and can affect the whole eyeball
conjunctivitis
vsophthalmitis
  • Specialized
4 5.5

Red, sore eyes that feel itchy and often have a watery or sticky fluid

is broader covering severe inflammation of the full eyeball not only the lining
eye disease
vsophthalmitis
  • Specialized
2 3.3

A health problem that affects the eye and can harm vision

is specific to severe inflammation rather than other kinds of eye problems
eye condition
vsophthalmitis
  • Specialized
1 3.4

A problem with the eye that affects vision

focuses on severe inflammation rather than general eye state
ophthalmia
vsophthalmitis
  • Specialized
9.9

A severe eye condition that makes the eye red, sore, and swollen

includes severe inflammation of the whole eyeball as well as the lining

How Inflamed

ophthalmitis
  • Specialized
9.9
conjunctivitis
  • Specialized
4 5.5
irritation
21 3.2
eye condition
  • Specialized
1 3.4

Surface Forms

ophthalmitis singular
ophthalmitides plural

Morphology

ophthalmitis = ophthalm (semi-transparent) = ophthalm + itis

Formally transparent (ophthalm- + -itis) as a medical formation, but the combining form and the suffix '-itis' are specialist knowledge and may not be obvious to an average B1 learner.

Etymology

Ophthalmitis comes from the Greek ophthalmos meaning 'eye' and the ending -itis meaning 'inflammation', the same -itis you see in tonsillitis or arthritis. So ophthalmitis means 'inflammation of the eye', which explains the redness, pain, and risk of vision loss.