Glossary of Eye Terms

Anopia: absence of eyes.

Anophthalmia: congenital absence of eyes.

Anterior: front surface.

Canthus: (medial)- demarcation between the sclera and nasal corner of the eye.

Collarette: color ring around the pupil.

Conformer: plastic or silicone 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 or 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 via a peg system.

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.