Vision Special Report
Vision Disorders Glossary
Johns Hopkins Vision Glossary
Derived from The Johns Hopkins White Paper 2007: Vision
accommodating IOL
An implant containing a hinge that allows for both near and far vision, thereby mimicking the movement of the natural lens of a young person.accommodation
The process by which the natural lens changes shape, allowing it to focus on near or far objects.adrenergic agonist eyedrops
A treatment for glaucoma. The eyedrops reduce intraocular pressure by decreasing the production of aqueous humor and increasing its drainage through the uveoscleral pathway.age-related macular degeneration (AMD)
A loss of central vision caused by changes in the macula.Amsler grid
A diagram of a box subdivided into smaller boxes that is used for self-monitoring by people with AMD.angiostatic corticosteroids
Drugs being studied for treating AMD and diabetic retinopathy.antimetabolites
Drugs sometimes used in filtration surgery for glaucoma.aqueous humor
A watery fluid that is located in front of the lens and provides nutrients to the lens and cornea.astigmatism
Blurred or distorted vision that is common in nearsighted people.A-scan ultrasonography
A test that uses sound waves to measure the length of the eyeball.
beta-blocker eyedrops
A treatment for glaucoma. The eyedrops reduce intraocular pressure (IOP) by decreasing the production of aqueous humor.bifocals
A pair of glasses with lenses that correct both distant and near vision.body mass index (BMI)
A measure of weight in relation to height. To calculate your BMI, multiply your weight in pounds by 704 and divide that by the square of your height in inches. Overweight is defined as a BMI of 25-29.9; obesity is defined as a BMI of 30 or greater.B-scan ultrasonography
A test that uses sound waves to view structures in the back of the eye.carbonic anhydrase inhibitors
Medications used to treat glaucoma. These drugs decrease the production of aqueous humor and are available in both oral and eyedrop formulations.cataract
A cloudiness (opacification) of the lens that can lead to visual impairment.central vision
The middle part of the visual field.choroid
A layer of the eye inside the sclera. It contains a dark pigment that minimizes scattering of light inside the eye.ciliary body
A part of the eye that surrounds the lens and produces aqueous humor.classic AMD
One of two types of neovascular AMD. Classification is based on fluid leakage patterns.closed-angle glaucoma
A type of glaucoma caused by a blockage near the iris that prevents aqueous humor from reaching the trabecular meshwork. It results in a rapid buildup of extremely high intraocular pressure that can lead to severe, permanent vision damage within a couple of days.cones
Nerve cells in the retina that are activated only in bright light and by the colors red, blue, and green.conjunctiva
A thin, lubricating mucous membrane that covers the sclera and lines the inside of the eyelid.cornea
The transparent, dome-shaped disk covering the iris and pupil.coronary heart disease
Abnormality of the arteries that supply blood and oxygen to the heart and can lead to chest pain or a heart attack.cortical cataract
A cataract that affects the lens cortex.cyclodestructive surgery
A treatment for glaucoma that destroys the ciliary body with a laser.cystoid macular edema
A specific pattern of swelling of the central retina.diabetes
A disease characterized by abnormally high glucose (sugar) levels in the blood.diabetic retinopathy
Damage to small blood vessels in the retina resulting from the chronic high blood glucose levels in people with poorly controlled diabetes. Proliferative retinopathy is the most dangerous form.drusen
Small accumulations of debris underneath the retina.dry AMD
See non-neovascular AMD.endophthalmitis
An infection of the vitreous humor that develops in a small number of people after eye surgery.extracapsular surgery
Cataract surgery that removes the front of the lens capsule along with the cortex and nucleus of the lens, while leaving the back of the lens capsule intact.extrafoveal blood vessels
See neovascular AMD.exudative AMD
See neovascular AMD.farsightedness
See hyperopia.filtration surgery
A treatment for glaucoma that uses conventional surgical instruments to open a passage through the clogged trabecular meshwork, allowing excess aqueous humor to drain into surrounding tissues.floaters
Black spots or shapes that drift through the field of vision.Posted in Vision on October 14, 2007
