anisometropia: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowTechnical, Medical
Quick answer
What does “anisometropia” mean?
A condition of the eyes in which they have unequal refractive power.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A condition of the eyes in which they have unequal refractive power.
A significant difference in the prescription (refractive error) between a person's two eyes, which can lead to problems with binocular vision, depth perception, or amblyopia (lazy eye) if present in childhood.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or spelling. Pronunciation may vary slightly (see IPA).
Connotations
Purely clinical and neutral in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency and specialised in both UK and US medical contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “anisometropia” in a Sentence
anisometropia in [patient/eyes]anisometropia of [x dioptres]anisometropia due to [cause]anisometropia corrected with [glasses/surgery]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “anisometropia” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The child had an anisometropic prescription, requiring a special lens design.
American English
- Anisometropic patients often struggle with standard contact lenses.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Academic
Common in ophthalmology and optometry research papers discussing binocular vision development and refractive errors.
Everyday
Virtually never used in everyday conversation. A layperson might say 'one eye is much stronger/weaker than the other.'
Technical
The standard, precise term in clinical eye examinations, medical diagnoses, and optical lens prescriptions.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “anisometropia”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “anisometropia”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “anisometropia”
- Mispronunciation: stressing 'me-TRO-pia' instead of 'mi-TRO-pia'.
- Misspelling: 'anisometropia' (common), 'anisometropy'.
- Using it as an adjective (e.g., 'anisometropic eyes' is correct).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, mild anisometropia is very common. However, significant anisometropia requiring treatment is less common and is a key focus in paediatric eye care.
It is typically corrected with prescription glasses or contact lenses. In some cases, refractive surgery may be an option for adults. For children, treatment is crucial to prevent amblyopia.
Yes, especially in mild cases or if one eye compensates for the other. It is often detected during a routine eye examination.
Astigmatism is an irregular curvature of the eye's cornea or lens, causing blurred vision at all distances. Anisometropia is specifically a difference in the overall refractive error (which could include astigmatism, nearsightedness, or farsightedness) between the two eyes.
A condition of the eyes in which they have unequal refractive power.
Anisometropia is usually technical, medical in register.
Anisometropia: in British English it is pronounced /ˌanʌɪsə(ʊ)mɪˈtrəʊpɪə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌænˌaɪsoʊmɪˈtroʊpiə/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'AN-ISO-METRO-pia' = NOT (an-) EQUAL (iso-) MEASURE (metro-) of VISION (-opia). Vision not measured equally in both eyes.
Conceptual Metaphor
A BALANCE SCALE that is uneven, with one side heavier (stronger prescription) than the other.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary concern with anisometropia in young children?