ophthalmology

noun

oph·​thal·​mol·​o·​gy ˌäf-thə(l)-ˈmä-lə-jē 

ˌäp-,

-ˌthal-

: a branch of medical science dealing with the structure, functions, and diseases of the eye

ophthalmologic

ˌäf-thə(l)-mə-ˈlä-jik 

ˌäp-

-ˌthal-

adjective

or ophthalmological

ˌäf-thə(l)-mə-ˈlä-ji-kəl 

ˌäp-,

-ˌthal-

ophthalmologically

ˌäf-thə(l)-mə-ˈlä-ji-k(ə-)lē 

ˌäp-

-ˌthal-

adverb

Examples of ophthalmology in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Bashar was then brought home from his ophthalmology practice in London and put through military training, where he was elevated to the rank of colonel to give him the credentials to one day rule Syria. —Greg Wehner, Fox News, 9 Dec. 2024

Escalon continues to focus on its operations in the healthcare market, specializing in ophthalmology, and highlights its dependence on a few large customers and suppliers for a significant portion of its business. —Quartz Bot, Quartz, 14 Nov. 2024

What could have caused this temporary — but painful — condition? Dr. Jules Winokur, residency program director and vice chair of ophthalmology for Northwell Health, tells PEOPLE that the symptoms point to either inadvertent chemical exposure, or UV light toxicity. —Cara Lynn Shultz, Peoplemag, 20 Sep. 2024

The intrigue: The university hospital ranked nationally in two specialties: No. 10 in ophthalmology and No. 27 in rehabilitation. —Kim Bojórquez, Axios, 31 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from German Ophthalmologie, from ophthalmo- ophthalmo- + -logie -logy

First Known Use

circa 1842, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

ophthalmology

noun

oph·​thal·​mol·​o·​gy ˌäf-thə(l)-ˈmäl-ə-jē 

ˌäp-,

-ˌthal-

: a branch of medical science dealing with the structure, functions, and diseases of the eye

Medical Definition

ophthalmology

noun

oph·​thal·​mol·​o·​gy -ˈmäl-ə-jē 

plural ophthalmologies

: a branch of medical science dealing with the structure, functions, and diseases of the eye

ophthalmologic

-mə-ˈläj-ik 

adjective

or ophthalmological

-i-kəl 

ophthalmologically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb