AXIAL CATARACT Meaning and
Definition
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Axial cataract is a term used in ophthalmology to describe a specific type of cataract that affects the central portion of the lens, causing visual impairment. The lens of the eye is normally transparent and helps to focus light onto the retina, but in the presence of cataracts, it becomes cloudy or opaque, leading to blurry vision.
An axial cataract specifically refers to the clouding of the lens tissue along its longest axis, which runs from the front to the back of the eye. This type of cataract typically forms in the center of the lens, known as the nucleus, but it can extend towards the front or back of the lens as well.
Axial cataracts can develop due to aging and are commonly associated with other types of cataracts such as nuclear or cortical cataracts. They can also be caused by various factors including genetic predisposition, trauma, certain medications (such as steroids), and underlying health conditions like diabetes.
The symptoms of axial cataract are similar to those of other cataracts and may include blurred or hazy vision, increased sensitivity to bright lights, difficulty seeing at night, and the perception of faded or dull colors. Treatment for axial cataract usually involves surgical removal of the cloudy lens and replacement with an artificial lens known as an intraocular lens (IOL). This procedure, called cataract surgery, is highly effective in restoring clear vision.
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A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for AXIAL CATARACT
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Etymology of AXIAL CATARACT
The word "axial" comes from the Latin word "axis", meaning "axle" or "pivot". In the context of medicine, it refers to something being situated along or in the direction of an axis.
The term "cataract" traces its origins to the Latin word "catarracta", which is derived from the Greek word "kataraktēs". "Kataraktēs" signifies "waterfall" and was used metaphorically to describe the cloudiness of the lens in the eye, similar to the appearance of rushing water.
Therefore, the term "axial cataract" combines the Latin "axial" with the Greek "cataract" to describe a cloudiness or opacity in the lens of the eye that occurs along or in line with its axis.
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