Standard Lemma guide

xerophthalmia

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

noun

Meaning 1

A condition due to a deficiency of vitamin A where the conjunctiva and cornea become dry. The condition starts with conjunctival xerosis and night blindness and progresses to corneal xerosis and, later, a severe condition called keratomalacia.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: countable, uncountable

Topics: medicine, ophthalmology, sciences

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: xerophthalmos, xerophthalmus

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

abnormal dryness of the conjunctiva and cornea of the eyes; may be due to a systemic deficiency of vitamin A

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: xerophthalmus, xeroma, conjunctivitis arida

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: dryness, waterlessness, xerotes

History

Etymology

From xero- + ophthalmia.

Across languages

Translations

11 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Chinese Mandarin: 干眼症 (gānyǎnzhèng) — condition
  • French: xérophtalmie — condition
  • German: Xerophthalmie — condition
  • Irish: xéaroftailmia — condition
  • Italian: xeroftalmia — condition
  • Japanese: 眼球乾燥症 — condition
  • Portuguese: xeroftalmia — condition
  • Romanian: xeroftalmie — condition
  • Spanish: xeroftalmia — condition
  • Vietnamese: chứng khô mắt — condition
  • Vietnamese: bệnh khô mắt — condition