Eye-Related Vocabulary

Key Vocab: General Eye/Vision Terms

Ocular - Of or relating to the eye.

Optical - Of or relating to vision.

Ophthalmologist - A physician who specializes in treating the eye and eye disease. 

Optometrist - A health care professional licensed to examine the eye, and diagnose and treat some eye diseases.

Optician - A technician who helps select and fit eyeglasses or contact lenses for people with vision problems.

Central Vision - The most important part of a person's vision. It is used to read, drive and see pictures or faces.

Peripheral Vision - Side vision, or what the eye perceives outside the direct line of vision.

Visual Field - The full scope of what the eye sees; includes central and peripheral vision.

Key Vocab: Eye Anatomy 

Retina - The innermost layer of the eye, which converts light energy to electrical energy and sends visual images to the brain via the optic nerve.

Optic Nerve - A cable of specialized nerve fibers that transmit visual impulses from the eye to the brain.

Macula - The area in the center of the retina that produces sharp, clear central vision and allows one to see fine detail.

Cornea - The clear dome that covers the eye.

*More specific information and visuals can be found under the Eye Anatomy tab on the home menu

Key Vocab: Eye Wear

Glasses - A device used to correct defects of vision or to protect the eyes that consists typically of a pair of glass or plastic lenses and the frame by which they are held in place.

Reading Glasses - Eye glasses used for reading or close work.

Sunglasses - Glasses to protect the eyes from the sun.

Contacts - Thin lenses designed to fit over the cornea and usually worn to correct defects in vision.

*More specific information and visuals can be found under the Glasses & Contacts tab on the home menu

Key Vocab: Eye Care Equipment

Snellen Chart - The chart used in the Snellen (standard vision) test with black letters of various sizes against a white background.

Slit Lamp - A lamp for projecting a narrow beam of intense light that is used in conjunction with a biomicroscope for examining the anterior parts of an eye.

Phoroptor - An instrument used to determine the corrective lenses needed by an individual.

*More specific information and visuals can be found under the Optical Jobs & Equipment tab on the home menu

*All definitions derived from Merriam-Webster, Harvard Health Publishing, and New York Presbyterian Health Library