GC: n

S: WHO – http://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/10665/133705/1/WHO_NMH_NHD_EPG_14.4_eng.pdf (last access: 10 February 2016); MN – http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=6040 (last access: 10 February 2016).

N: 1. Late Latin, from Greek xērophthalmia, from xēr- xer- + ophthalmia ophthalmia; circa 1656.

2. Night blindness is an early sign of vitamin A deficiency, followed by abnormal dryness of the eye and ultimately scarring of the cornea, a condition known as xerophthalmia.

3. Dryness of the conjunctiva and cornea due to vitamin A deficiency. The condition begins with night blindness and conjunctival xerosis and progresses to corneal xerosis, and, in the late stages, to keratomalacia.

4. Although the denomination “dry eye syndrome” is correct is preferred to use xerophthalmia, at least on medical issues because it’s much more professional and precise.

5. The symptoms of this disease usually are blurred vision, burning, itching, or redness in the eye, gritty or scratchy feeling in the eye and sensitivity to light. It’s important to remark that although this problem is not serious and can be solved by artificial tears for example, in some cases can require surgery.

6. Cultural Interrelation: We can mention The Egyptian (Sinuhe egyptiläinen, Sinuhe the Egyptian) a historical novel written by Mika Waltari (1908-1979) in 1945.

S: 1. MW – https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/xerophthalmia (last access: 26 May 2024). 2. EncBrit – http://www.britannica.com/science/xerophthalmia (last access: 28 November 2013). 3. DORLAND p. 2087. 4 & 5. MEDLP – http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000426.htm (last access: 28 November 2013). 6. GR – http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10536206-sinuhe-the-egyptian (last access: 10 February 2016).

SYN: 1. dry eye syndrome, keratoconjunctivitis sicca, keratitis sicca. 2. dry eye. (depending on context)

S: 1. MEDLP – http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000426.htm (last access: 28 November 2013). 2. DTMe (last access: 28 November 2013); DPTM – https://dptm.es/dptm/?k=xeroftalm%C3%ADa (last access: 26 May 2024).

CR: amaurosis, amblyopia, blindness, diplopia, nyctalopia, ophthalmology, stye, trachoma.