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Eye Health Glossary
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ectropion
edema
Swelling. Caused by the accumulation of fluid in an area of tissue injury.
emmetropia
Perfect vision. Refractive condition in which rays of light pass through the
lens and
cornea in such a way that light is
focused onto the
retina, producing crisp, clear vision
without the need for eyeglasses or contacts.
endothelium
The innermost layer of the
cornea. The endothelium is only one
cell-layer thick and is responsible for pumping water out of the cornea, which is necessary to
prevent
edema, which leads to loss of
transparency of the cornea. The corneal endothelium also produces
Descemet's membrane.
enophthalmos
Backward “sunken” movement of the eyeball into the orbit.
entropion
Inward turning of the eyelid (either upper or lower eyelid), which most often occurs in the
elderly, but can also result from eye disease or scarring of the inside of the eyelid.
Learn more about Entropion.
epiphora
Excessive tearing such that tears spill over the eyelid margin.
episcleritis
Inflammation of the outermost layer of the
sclera (white part of the eye). The
area of inflammation appears red due to a dilation of blood vessels in the area. More often than
not, cases of episcleritis are benign and painless, requiring no treatment.
epithelium
The outermost layer of the
cornea. The epithelium plays an
important role in protecting the eye against infection. It also contributes to the production of
a stable
tear film.
erythema
Redness. Due to dilation of blood vessels in an area. Often occurs with swelling
(edema).
esotropia
Misalignment of the eyes such that one eye is directed inwards. Esotropia is a form of
strabismus.
excimer
An ArF excimer laser is the most popular type of laser used in
laser eye correction surgery.
Excimer is short for “excited dimer,” which is the short-lived molecular bond created when
the two gases (argon and fluoride) are mixed.
exotropia
Misalignment of the eyes such that one eye is directed outwards. Also referred to as
“walleye,” exotropia is a form of
strabismus.
extraocular muscles (EOM)
eye exam
A regular eye examination typically takes about 30 minutes and involves a thorough examination
of both the refractive state (whether or not you need glasses), and the health of your eyes.
Your
optometrist (or
ophthalmologist, in some
cases) will also examine how well your eyes are working together
(binocular vision).
Learn more about what to expect in your
eye exam
eye twitch
The fancy name for an eye twitch is
“myokymia.” For most people, an eye
twitch is vaguely bothersome and subsides within a few hours (or even minutes). For others,
however, there is a condition known as
blepharospasm, which is a more
severe type of eye twitch that can cause involuntary closure of the eyelids.
eyelash
Long hair that grows from the edge of the
eyelid. Eyelashes are sensitive to
touch, signaling the eyelids to close in response to potentially harmful foreign objects.
eyelid
Thin flaps of skin that cover and protect the eyes. The blinking action of the eyelids is
necessary to maintain adequate lubrication to the eye, preventing it from drying out. The blink
reflex that new
contact lens wearers know all too well
is an innate reaction to prevent foreign objects from getting into the eyes.
eyelid hygiene
With so many products out there saying “keep away from the eyes!” the eyelids are receiving little
attention when it comes to washing our face. Unfortunately poor eyelid hygiene can lead to
infections such as
blepharitis and
conjunctivitis. Luckily, there is a
solution: individual packets of lens-care towellettes are available specifically for washing
your eyes. Ideal for removing make-up as well. Learn more about
Eye Scrub Sterile Eye Makeup Remover Pads.
eyecare professional
Any individual who has obtained specialized training in the area of eye care.
Optometrists and
ophthalmologists are eyecare
professionals. Opticians, though less knowledgeable about eye health, have had specialized
training in the refractive aspect of eye care.
eyeglasses
Also known as “glasses” or “spectacles,” eyeglasses are frames bearing lenses that are worn in
front of the eyes to correct for refractive vision problems such as
myopia,
hyperopia,
astigmatism, or
presbyopia. Specialized protective
eyeglasses and goggles are made of a hard plastic known as
polycarbonate.
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