ophthalmia

Medieval Latin obtalmia and Old French obtalmie, ultimately from Ancient Greek ὀφθαλμός (ophthalmós).[1]

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ɒfˈθælmiə/, /ɒpˈθælmiə/[2]
• (General American) IPA^(key): /ɑpˈθælmiə/

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ophthalmia (countable and uncountable, plural ophthalmias)

1. (medicine) Synonym of ophthalmitis (“inflammation of the eye”)
   • 1891 July, Fanny D. Bergen, “Animal and Plant Lore”, in Popular Science, page 377:

     Dr. Buck reports that the Swabians also believe in the efficacy of fasting spittle for sore eyes; and our never-failing Pliny records the Roman belief that ophthalmia may be cured by anointing the eyes every morning with fasting spittle.

• ophthalmo-