‖ xerophthalmia Path.
(zɪərɒfˈθælmɪə)
Also formerly anglicized as xerophthalmy, -ie.
[L., ad. Gr. ξηροϕθαλµία, f. ξηρός dry + ὀϕθαλµία ophthalmia.]
An ophthalmia without discharge; inflammation of the conjunctiva of the eye with abnormal dryness and corrugation.
| 1656 Blount Glossogr., Xerophthalmy..soarness or blearedness of the Eyes, when they neither swell, nor run. 1658 Phillips, Xerophthalmie. [1684 tr. Blancard's Phys. Dict. (1693), Xerophthalmia, a dry Bleardness or Blood-shot of the Eyes.] 1875 H. Walton Dis. Eye (ed. 3) 885 (heading) Cuticular conjunctivitis or xerophthalmia. |
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Add: Hence xerophˈthalmic a.
| 1961 Webster s.v., Xerophthalmic. 1976 Investigative Ophthalm. XV. 417 Studies on enzyme activities which are enhanced in the xerophthalmic cornea. 1988 Health Policy & Planning III. 209 Households with no land..or no radio were two to three times more likely to have a xerophthalmic child. |