Xerophthalmia

zeer-off-thal-MEE-uh

/ˌzɪə.rɒfˈθæl.mi.ə/

Noun (Medical term – Ophthalmology)

Meaning

Xerophthalmia is a medical condition characterized by abnormal dryness of the eyes, caused primarily by vitamin A deficiency, leading to dry conjunctiva, cornea damage, night blindness, and potential permanent vision loss if left untreated.

Examples

Children suffering from prolonged vitamin A deficiency are at high risk of developing xerophthalmia.
Early diagnosis of xerophthalmia can prevent irreversible corneal blindness.
Xerophthalmia is still prevalent in regions with poor nutrition and limited healthcare access.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms	Antonyms
Dry eye disease Vitamin A deficiency eye disorder Ocular dryness syndrome	Normal tear production Healthy ocular lubrication Adequate vitamin A eye health

Word Forms

Xerophthalmic (adjective)
Xerophthalmia-related (compound modifier)

Origin / Etymology

The word xerophthalmia originates from Greek:
“xeros” meaning dry
“ophthalmos” meaning eye
It literally translates to “dry eye”, first used in medical literature in the 19th century to describe eye conditions related to nutritional deficiencies.

Grammar Information

Countability: Uncountable noun
Usage: Formal medical and clinical contexts
Common Collocations:
- xerophthalmia symptoms
- xerophthalmia treatment
- xerophthalmia vitamin A deficiency
- childhood xerophthalmia

Translations

Hindi: ज़ेरोफ्थैल्मिया
Telugu: జీరోఫ్తాల్మియా
Tamil: ஜெரோப்தால்மியா
Spanish: Xerophthalmia
French: Xérophtalmie
German: Xerophthalmie

Idioms & Phrases

Night blindness and xerophthalmia – a commonly used medical phrase describing early signs of vitamin A deficiency
Stages of xerophthalmia – refers to clinical classification from conjunctival dryness to corneal ulceration

Related Words

Vitamin A deficiency
Night blindness (nyctalopia)
Corneal xerosis
Bitot’s spots
Dry eye syndrome
Ocular surface disease
Childhood malnutrition