Glossary of Eye Terms
Anopia: absence of an eye.
Anophthalmia: congenital absence of an eye.
Anterior: front surface.
Canthus: (medial)- demarcation between the sclera and nasal corner of the eye.
Collarette: color ring around the pupil.
Conformer: plastic shell usually inserted after surgery to Help form the socket and support the eyelids.
Conjunctiva: mucous membrane that lines the eye socket and covers the implant.
Cornea: the clear covering on the eye.
Cul-de-sacs: tissue pockets within the socket cavity.
Edema: swelling in tissue.
Enucleation: surgical removal of the eye.
Evisceration: removal of the eye contents.
Ocular Implant: Usually a spherical device placed in the socket at time of surgery to replace orbit volume after removal of the eye or its contents. Normally made of acrylic plastic, silicone and bio-compatible material.
Inferior: lower, as in inferior eyelid.
Integrated Implant: an implant such as (Bio-eye) or (Medpor) that allows the muscles of the eye to be directly attached to it, and in turn transfers the motion from the implant to the artificial eye.
Iris: colored portion of the eye.
Limbus: demarcation zone between iris and sclera.
Medial: nasal or towards the nose.
Microphthalmia: abnormally small size of eye.
Nasal: toward the nose.
Ocular prosthesis: artificial eye.
Phthisis bulbi: shrinking of eyeball following injury, Infection or disease.
Posterior: back surface.
Pupil: black spot in the iris, which opens into the interior of the eye.
Sclera: white portion of the eye.
Scleral shell: flush fitting thin artificial eye usually fit over Phthisis bulbi (shrunken eye).
Stroma: main body color of the iris.
Sulcus: upper eyelid depression.
Superior: upper, as in upper eyelid.
Temporal: toward the ear.