Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.

  • Sclerotic scatter

    A method of llumination used in slit lamp biomicroscopy, in which the slit beam is directed toward the limbal part of the sclera from a wide angle, causing light to traverse the cornea by total internal reflection.  

  • Scleral flange lens

    A corneal lens having a scleral flange which stabilizes the lens so that residual astigmatism may be corrected with a front surface toroidal curve.  

  • Schirmer test

    A test of the quantity of tear secretion which makes use of a filter paper strip inserted into the lower fornix. Normally, 10-15 mm of the filter paper will be moistened within a period of five minutes. The use of an absorbent paper placed in the conjunctival sac as a test for patients with ocular…

  • Retro-illumination

    A method of illumination used in slit lamp biomicroscopy, in which the slit lamp beam is focused on a surface which is beyond (or behind) the area being observed.  

  • Residual astigmatism

    Originally synonymous with internal astigmatism but is now often used to indicate any and all astigmatism present when a patient is wearing a contact lens. Such astigmatism may be due to the position and tilt of the contact lens and the toricity of its surfaces, as well as to internal ocular causes.  

  • Refractive ametropia

    Ametropia due primarily to variations in the refractive elements of the eye.  

  • Radiuscope

    An instrument used for determining the radii of curvature of a contact lens.  

  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa

    A species of pathogenic bacteria which can cause severe ulceration of the cornea (also called P. pyocyanea). Produces green-blue pigment (pyocyanine) on culture and in wound pus—hence the alternative name. Yellow pigment (fluorescein) may also be apparent. Gelatin-liquefying, ferments only glucose. Occurs as a pathogen in urine, burns, wounds etc., often with other bacteria. Growing…

  • Prism ballast lens

    A corneal contact lens containing base-down prism, which gives added weight to the lower part of the lens and thus tends to keep the lens from rotating.  

  • Preformed scleral lens

    A scleral contact lens which is fitted by means of a diagnostic lens set, not requiring the taking of an impression of the eye.  

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