ophthalmia
[of-thal´me-ah] severe inflammation of the eye or of the conjunctiva or deeper structures of the eye.
ophthalmia neonato´rum any hyperacute purulent conjunctivitis, such as
gonorrheal conjunctivitis, occurring during the first 10 days of life, usually contracted during birth from infected vaginal discharge of the mother. The term formerly referred only to
gonorrheal conjunctivitis, but now other types are recognized. It is prevented by instilling silver nitrate or other medication in the eyes of the newborn, although in an occasional infant silver nitrate may cause iatrogenic ophthalmia. Called also
neonatal conjunctivitis. sympathetic ophthalmia granulomatous inflammation of the uveal tract of the uninjured eye following a wound involving the uveal tract of the other eye, resulting in bilateral granulomatous inflammation of the entire uveal tract. Called also
sympathetic uveitis.
Miller-Keane Encyclopedia and Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing, and Allied Health, Seventh Edition. © 2003 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved.