Ophthalmia

(of-thal'me-ah.) [Gr.,from ophthalmos, the eye.] (Med.) An inflammation of the mucous membrane which covers the globe of the eye, and of the correspondent surface of the eyelids. It may be induced by many different exciting causes, such as sudden transition from heat to cold, residence in damp or sandy countries in the hot season, exposure of the eyes to the vivid rays of the sun, the suppre ion of some habitual discharge, . [s. 665]