Medical dictionary

What is a stereoscopy? Stereoscopy or stereoscopic imaging is a technique used to collect three-dimensional (3D) images and create the illusion of depth through the stereographic image or stereogram. Two slightly offset images are shown separately to each eye of the viewer. Both images are the same but from a slightly different angle or perspective. The brain is then tricked into thinking that

What is strabismus? Strabismus, also known as a 'squint', means that the eyes are not aligned. It can cause difficulties with social interaction, and a person's self-confidence. Strabismus can be classified into three types, based on the direction of the eyes: Convergent strabismus : One eye is looking straight, the other is looking towards the nose. Dive

  What is a stye? A stye is the result of an inflammation on or inside the eyelid or around the eye. It is a red, hard and painful lump originating from the eyelid’s sebaceous glands or from the eyelashes’ follicles. What are the symptoms of a stye? The symptoms of a stye include a painful lump which grows more and more red, lacrimation (tears) and, sometimes, a sc

What is thyroid eye disease?   Thyroid eye disease (TED) is an autoimmune disease in which the cells that protect us from infections or other aggressive agents act defectively, attacking different organs or tissues of the body such as the thyroid and eyes. In most patients, the same autoimmune disease that causes TED also affects the thyroid gland, which results in Graves’ disease

What is a trabeculectomy? A trabeculectomy is a glaucoma operation usually done under local anaesthetic, via an injection beside the eye. It aims to reduce eye pressure caused by glaucoma, which can slowly damage - and even cause permanent loss of - eyesight, by draining fluid out of the eye.       Why would someone need a trabeculectomy?    Th

What is an upper eyelid filler?Upper eyelid filler is a treatment to add volume to the upper eyelids and to give a more youthful appearance. It involves the injection of a filler into the upper eyelid, to improve a hollow appearance that can occur over time as the skin loses fat cells, leading to a more sunken appearance, and with a darker skin tone. Eyelid filler treatments can also be

What is uveitis? Uveitis describes inflammation of the uvea, the middle part of the eye made up of the choroid, ciliary body, and the iris. Uveitis can be either infectious or non-infectious. It is important to exclude infection before starting treatment.   What are the different types of uveitis? There are different types of uveitis depending on the part of the uvea affected:

What is vision therapy? Optometric vision therapy is a technique for children based on eye exercises to optimize and improve various vision dysfunctions. It should be a personalized treatment for each child. It may be recommended for children who suffer from an ocular pathology and those with visual dysfunctions that cause poor school performance. Vision therapy works to correct problems relate

What is visual impairment? A visual impairment refers to loss of vision or the decreased ability to see at a ‘normal’ level. The WHO (World Health Organisation) estimates that there are approximately 1.3 billion people in the world living with some form of visual impairment. Visual impairment can be mild or severe, or refer to a complete loss of sight (blindness). Roughly 1.87 milli