Glossary for retinopathy of prematurity
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ACIDOSIS: the accumulation of acid or reduction of alkaline reserve in the blood and body tissues, characterised by an increase in hydrogen ion concentration
AMINOPHYLLINE: a drug used to dilate the bronchioles of the lung
APNOEA: absence of breathing; stopping breathing
ARRHYTHMIAS: irregular heart beats
ARTERIAL TORTUOSITY: arteries with turns and twists
AVASCULAR: absence of blood vessels
AVASCULAR PERIPHERAL RETINA: the outer areas of the retina without blood vessels
BRADYCARDIA: slowing of the heart rate
CARDIAC ARREST: sudden stopping of the heart beat
CEREBRAL PALSY: damage to the brain, resulting in motor nerve and sometimes mental disorders
CRYOTHERAPY: treatment by freezing
CYANOTIC HEART DISEASE: disease or abnormality of the heart associated with blue discolouration of the skin and mucous membranes
DEMARCATION: a recognised line between two structures or body tissues
EXTRARETINAL FIBROVASCULAR PROLIFERATION: new growth of fibrous tissue and blood vessels in front of (but outside of) the retina
FUNNEL-SHAPED: shaped like a funnel (a circular, narrowing tube)
GESTATIONAL AGE: the age of the unborn child since conception (the beginning of pregnancy)
HYALINE MEMBRANE DISEASE: see Respiratory Distress Syndrome
HYPHAEMA: blood in the anterior chamber of the eye
HYPEROXIA: excess of oxygen
HYPERTENSIVE ENCEPHALOPATHY: disturbance of the brain due to high blood pressure
HYPOXIA: the reduction of oxygen supply below normal levels
ILEUS: loss of bowel motility
INTRAVENTRICULAR HAEMMORHAGE: haemorrhage into the ventricle of the brain
ISCHAEMIA: reduced (poor) blood supply to a body tissue
LENSECTOMY: surgical removal of the lens using vitrectomy equipment
LOW pH: the pH is a measurement of acidity/alkalinity; low pH is more acidic and has increased hydrogen ion concentration
MACULA: the central retina (the area which sees most precisely)
MORBIDITY: a diseased condition or state
MORTALITY: (in this context) fatalities or death
MYOPIA: ‘short sight’ or near-sightedness
NEONATAL: newborn
NEONATOLOGIST: a medical specialist for disorders of the newborn child ORA SERRATA: the irregular anterior edge of the retina
PARAMETERS: measurable characteristics or features
PATHOGENESIS: the beginning and development of disease within body tissues
PERITOMY: surgical incision of the conjunctiva around the cornea
POST-CONCEPTUAL/CONCEPTIONAL: after conception (beginning of pregnancy)
POSTERIOR POLAR VASCULAR DILATATION: widening of the lumens of central retinal blood vessels
POST-MENSTRUAL: since the last menstrual period
PREMATURITY: an underdeveloped newborn child with low birth weight
PRETERM NEONATES: babies born before the recognised normal length (time) for a pregnancy.
PROGRESSIVE VASCULAR INCOMPETENCE: worsening leakage of blood and blood elements from blood vessels
PUPILLARY RIGIDITY: immobility (lack of movement) of the pupil
RESPIRATORY DISTRESS SYNDROME: abnormalities affecting the lungs of premature babies resulting in breathing difficulties
RETINAL PERIPHERY: the outer areas of the retina
RETINOPATHY: disease or abnormality of the retina
RETROLENTAL FIBROPLASIA: growth of fibrous tissue behind the lens
RETROSPECTIVE: looking back; applies to something which has already happened
RIDGE: a raised line or linear outgrowth
SCLERAL DEPRESSION: planned indentation (pushing in) of the sclera in order to examine the peripheral retina
SEPSIS: infection in the blood or body tissues
SPONTANEOUS REGRESSION: going back to the previous (original) state without medical intervention
STRABISMUS: squint
SUPPLEMENTAL OXYGEN: providing an extra supply of oxygen
SURVIVAL: continuing to live (or survive)
TUNICA VASCULOSA LENTIS: blood vessels forming a network around the developing lens in the foetus (unborn child); a normal stage of development
VASCULARISATION: the development of blood vessels within a body tissue
VASOPROLIFERATION: new growth (and outgrowth) of blood vessels
VENTILATORY SUPPORT: mechanical help with breathing
VITRECTOMY: surgical removal of the vitreous gel
VITREOUS HAZE: diffuse cloudiness (lack of transparency) within the vitreous gel