staphyloma (staf-il-o'mah)

A more or le irregular protrusion of some one of the tunics of the eye, due to a thinning or to a perforation from previous ulceration, anterior s. See j. cornae. ciliary s. S. scleroticae in the ciliary region, due to intra-ocular inflammation usually affecting the uveal tract. posterior s. i. See s. scleroticae. 2. See conus (2d def.). s. corneae. A bulging of the cornea, in whole or in part, from thinning of the membrane, with or without a preceding ulceration, due to injury or to a chronic inflammation of the cornea and usually of the iris, with abolition of the anterior chamber, adhesion of the iris to the posterior surface of the cornea, and increased tension. The cornea is opaque and occasionally thickened instead of thinned. According to some, the term is restricted to protrusion originating in prolapse of the iris and consisting of the iridic ti ue replacing the cornea, s. scleroticae. A bulging of the sclerotic at any portion of its circumference, from thinning of the membrane due to long continued intra-ocular inflammation with increased pre ure. [Gr., staphyloma, from staphyle, a bunch of grapes, + oma, tumor.]