xerophthalmia

noun xe·roph·thal·mia \ˌzir-ˌäf-ˈthal-mē-ə, -ˌäp-ˈthal-\

Definition of XEROPHTHALMIA

: a dry thickened lusterless condition of the eyeball resulting especially from a severe systemic deficiency of vitamin A

— xe·roph·thal·mic \-mik\ adjective

Late Latin, from Greek xērophthalmia, from xēr- xer- + ophthalmia ophthalmia

First Known Use: circa 1656

Medical Dictionary

noun xe·roph·thal·mia \ˌzir-ˌäf-ˈthal-mē-ə, -ˌäp-ˈthal-\

: a dry thickened lusterless condition of the eyeball resulting especially from a severe systemic deficiency of vitamin A—compare keratomalacia

—xe·roph·thal·mic \-mik\ adjective

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