retinopathy: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Medical, formal, technical
Quick answer
What does “retinopathy” mean?
Any disease or disorder of the retina.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Any disease or disorder of the retina.
A medical condition involving damage to the retina, the light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye, often resulting from another systemic disease such as diabetes or high blood pressure.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling is identical.
Connotations
Identical clinical connotations.
Frequency
Identical frequency in respective medical communities.
Grammar
How to Use “retinopathy” in a Sentence
[patient] with retinopathyretinopathy [caused by/associated with] [condition]retinopathy [secondary to] [condition][diagnose/detect] retinopathyVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “retinopathy” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- A retinopathic examination is necessary.
- The patient shows retinopathic changes.
American English
- A retinopathic examination is necessary.
- The patient shows retinopathic changes.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in medical/ophthalmology research papers and textbooks.
Everyday
Very rarely used; would typically be replaced by more general terms like 'eye damage' or 'diabetic eye disease' in lay conversation.
Technical
The standard, precise term in medical diagnostics, ophthalmology, and endocrinology.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “retinopathy”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “retinopathy”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “retinopathy”
- Mispronouncing as 'retina-pathy' (four syllables) instead of the standard five syllables.
- Using it to refer to general eye strain or vision problems, which is incorrect.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, diabetic retinopathy is one of the most common causes of blindness in working-age adults in developed countries.
While some damage may be irreversible, progression can often be slowed or halted with treatment (e.g., laser therapy, injections, blood sugar control), and vision loss can be prevented.
In early stages, there may be no symptoms. As it progresses, symptoms can include blurred vision, floaters, dark or empty areas in vision, and difficulty seeing at night.
No, while diabetic retinopathy is the most well-known type, there are others like hypertensive retinopathy (from high blood pressure) and retinopathy of prematurity (in premature babies).
Any disease or disorder of the retina.
Retinopathy is usually medical, formal, technical in register.
Retinopathy: in British English it is pronounced /ˌret.ɪˈnɒp.ə.θi/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌret̬.əˈnɑː.pə.θi/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: RETIN-O-PATHY. 'Retin' for 'retina' and 'pathy' for 'disease' (as in neuropathy or cardiopathy). So, a disease of the retina.
Conceptual Metaphor
DISEASE IS A PATH (PATHY). The condition is seen as a destructive pathway affecting the retina.
Practice
Quiz
What is retinopathy most closely associated with?