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retrobulbar

retrobulbar

9.9
Sitting at the back of the eye
  • adjective
  • /ˌrɛtroʊˈbʌlbər/
  • Specialized
translation icon : retrobulbar
  • The surgeon performed a retrobulbar block to numb the area behind the eyeball before the procedure.

Examples

  • The patient received a retrobulbar injection to prepare for cataract surgery.

  • A retrobulbar hemorrhage can cause serious complications if not treated quickly.

  • The surgeon performed a retrobulbar block to numb the area before the procedure.

  • The retrobulbar space contains important nerves.

  • The retrobulbar area is crucial for eye health.

  • A retrobulbar hemorrhage can lead to vision problems if not addressed immediately.

  • After the retrobulbar injection, the patient felt numbness around the eye, preparing for surgery.

Compounds

retrobulbar neuritis
  • Specialized
8.7

Swelling of the nerve behind the eye that causes eye pain and sudden vision loss

Surface Forms

retrobulbar positive

Morphology

retrobulbar = bulbar (semi-transparent) = retro + bulbar

The form is clearly retro- (behind) + bulbar (relating to the eyeball), but 'bulbar' is a technical medical term not familiar to average learners.

Etymology

The word retrobulbar comes from the parts retro- meaning 'back' and bulbar from bulb meaning 'round bulb', like a light bulb, so it literally means 'behind the eyeball'.