ophthalmology

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noun

oph·​thal·​mol·​o·​gy ˌäf-thə(l)-ˈmä-lə-jē 

ˌäp-, 

-ˌthal-

: a branch of medical science dealing with the structure, functions, and diseases of the eye

ophthalmologic

ˌäf-thə(l)-mə-ˈlä-jik 

ˌäp-, 

-ˌthal-

adjective

or ophthalmological

ˌäf-thə(l)-mə-ˈlä-ji-kəl 

ˌäp-, 

-ˌthal-

ophthalmologically

ˌäf-thə(l)-mə-ˈlä-ji-k(ə-)lē 

ˌäp-, 

-ˌthal-

adverb

ophthalmologic

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adjective

oph·​thal·​mo·​log·​ic (¦)äf¦thalmə¦läjik 

÷(¦)äp¦th-

-jēk, 

by l-dissimilation ÷-₋thəmə-

variants or less commonly ophthalmological

-jə̇kəl 

-jēk-

: of or relating to ophthalmology

ophthalmologically

-jə̇k(ə)lē 

-jēk-, 

-li

adverb

Examples of ophthalmology in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Santen operates in ophthalmology and has meaningful global market share in eye-care products. —Robert Daugherty, Forbes.com, 30 May 2026

Parker said the injured man was in stable condition and talking while waiting for ophthalmology care. —Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Apr. 2026

Still, the latter has the potential to have the most impact on the broader ophthalmology field and beyond, said Zhu. —Annalisa Merelli, STAT, 8 Apr. 2026

Some specialties, like ophthalmology, send out their announcements a little early. —Kara Finnstrom, CBS News, 23 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

borrowed from German Ophthalmologie, from ophthalmo- ophthalmo- + -logie -logy

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1842, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for ophthalmology

• aetiology
• anthropology
• archaeology
• archeology
• audiology
• cardiology
• climatology
• cohomology
• cosmetology
• criminology
• demonology
• dermatology

Kids Definition

ophthalmology

noun

oph·​thal·​mol·​o·​gy ˌäf-thə(l)-ˈmäl-ə-jē 

ˌäp-, 

-ˌthal-

: a branch of medical science dealing with the structure, functions, and diseases of the eye

Medical Definition

ophthalmology

noun

oph·​thal·​mol·​o·​gy -ˈmäl-ə-jē 

plural ophthalmologies

: a branch of medical science dealing with the structure, functions, and diseases of the eye

ophthalmologic

-mə-ˈläj-ik 

adjective

or ophthalmological

-i-kəl 

ophthalmologically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb