ophthalmology

noun

oph·​thal·​mol·​o·​gy ˌäf-thə(l)-ˈmä-lə-jē How to pronounce ophthalmology (audio)
ˌäp-,
-ˌthal-
: a branch of medical science dealing with the structure, functions, and diseases of the eye
ophthalmologic adjective
or ophthalmological
ophthalmologically adverb

Examples of ophthalmology in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Patient recruitment is a significant challenge, particularly for diseases with small or highly specific patient populations, such as rare diseases, oncology and ophthalmology. Sujay Jadhav, Forbes.com, 4 June 2025 This followed the deal last July to acquire an 80 percent stake in Heidelberg Engineering, a German company that is a specialist in diagnostic solutions, digital surgical technologies and health care IT for clinical ophthalmology. Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 30 May 2025 The most common types of medical procedures sought in Turkey include hair transplantation (50 percent), ophthalmology (18 percent), cosmetic surgeries (15 percent), and dental treatments (15 percent). Christopher Elliott, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2025 There's no ophthalmology department anywhere closer than either Spokane or Seattle. Meredith Wilshere, People.com, 27 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ophthalmology

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

circa 1842, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ophthalmology was circa 1842

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Cite this Entry

“Ophthalmology.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ophthalmology. Accessed 12 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

ophthalmology

noun
oph·​thal·​mol·​o·​gy ˌäf-thə(l)-ˈmäl-ə-jē How to pronounce ophthalmology (audio)
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 How to pronounce ophthalmology (audio)
plural ophthalmologies
: a branch of medical science dealing with the structure, functions, and diseases of the eye
ophthalmologic adjective
or ophthalmological
ophthalmologically adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on ophthalmology

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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