commotio retinae is a retinal finding that can appear after blunt trauma to the eye. It describes a temporary-looking whitening or “haze” in the retina seen on a dilated exam. It is commonly used in ophthalmology, optometry, and emergency eye care to document trauma-related retinal change. It is also known historically as “Berlin’s edema” when the central retina (macula) is involved.

lens subluxation means the eye’s natural lens is partly out of its normal position. It happens when the tiny fibers that hold the lens in place become weak or broken. It is commonly discussed in eye exams, emergency care after trauma, and surgical planning. It can affect vision and sometimes changes how the eye’s internal fluid drains.

traumatic mydriasis is an abnormally large pupil caused by injury to the eye. It usually happens when trauma damages the iris sphincter muscle that normally constricts the pupil. People often notice glare, light sensitivity, or blurred vision after the injury. The term is commonly used in emergency care, optometry, and ophthalmology examinations after eye trauma.

traumatic iritis is inflammation of the iris that occurs after an eye injury. It is a type of anterior uveitis, meaning inflammation in the front part of the eye. It commonly causes light sensitivity, eye pain, and redness. The term is commonly used in emergency care, optometry, and ophthalmology to describe post-trauma inflammation inside the eye.

The Seidel test is a clinical check used to look for leaking fluid from the eye. It most commonly helps detect aqueous humor (the eye’s internal fluid) escaping through a wound. Clinicians often perform it at the slit lamp using fluorescein dye and blue light. It is used in urgent eye care, trauma assessment, and post-surgical follow-up.

A scleral laceration is a cut or tear in the sclera, the tough white outer wall of the eye. It most often happens after trauma, especially from sharp objects or high-impact injuries. Clinicians use the term when describing an “open-globe” injury where the eye’s outer coat is disrupted. It is also discussed in surgical settings as a rare complication that can involve the sclera.

A corneal laceration is a cut in the cornea, the clear front “window” of the eye. It usually happens after trauma from a sharp object or high-velocity impact. Clinicians use the term to describe a potentially vision-threatening eye injury. It is commonly discussed in emergency care, ophthalmology clinics, and surgical settings.

An intraocular foreign body (IOFB) is a piece of material that has entered and remains inside the eye. It most often follows an injury, especially from high-speed particles like metal fragments. Clinicians use the term to describe a specific type of eye trauma that can threaten vision. It is commonly discussed in emergency care, ophthalmology, and occupational eye safety.

A perforating injury is a serious eye trauma where an object makes a full-thickness wound that enters the eyeball and exits it. It is most commonly discussed in emergency eye care, trauma classification, and surgical planning. In plain terms, it is a “through-and-through” open-globe injury. The term helps clinicians describe the pathway and severity of damage.

A penetrating injury is a wound caused by a sharp object that enters tissue and creates an opening. In eye care, the term often refers to an “open-globe” injury where the cornea or sclera is cut all the way through. It is commonly used in emergency care, ophthalmology trauma notes, and surgical planning. It helps clinicians describe the seriousness of the injury and the likely next steps in evaluation.

globe rupture is a serious eye injury where the wall of the eye breaks open through its full thickness. It is a type of “open-globe injury,” meaning the inside of the eye is exposed through a corneal or scleral wound. The term is commonly used in emergency care, ophthalmology, and trauma documentation. It usually follows significant blunt or penetrating trauma and is treated as an ocular emergency.

An **open globe injury** is a serious eye trauma in which the outer wall of the eye is fully breached. In plain terms, it means there is a **full-thickness wound** of the cornea and/or sclera (the eye’s protective “shell”). The term is used in ophthalmology, optometry, and emergency care to describe a **vision-threatening emergency**. It helps clinicians communicate urgency, guide safe examination, and plan repair and follow-up.

ocular trauma means an injury to the eye or the tissues around the eye. It can range from a mild scratch on the cornea to deeper damage inside the eye. The term is commonly used in emergency care, eye clinics, and surgical settings. It helps clinicians describe the injury, estimate risk, and plan evaluation and treatment.

keratometry for CL is the use of keratometry measurements to help fit contact lenses. Keratometry measures the curvature of the front surface of the cornea (the clear dome of the eye). It is commonly used in optometry and ophthalmology clinics during contact lens evaluations. The goal is to match lens design to corneal shape for stable vision and comfort.

A fluorescein pattern is the visible distribution of fluorescein dye on the eye when viewed with blue light. It helps clinicians see the tear film and tiny surface changes that are hard to detect under normal light. It is commonly used during slit-lamp exams and contact lens fitting.

over-refraction is a vision test done **over** an existing optical correction. It measures how your prescription changes when you are wearing glasses, contact lenses, or an implanted lens. It is commonly used during contact lens checks and after eye surgery. It helps clinicians understand what “extra” power is still needed for clear vision.

A landing zone is the part of an eye device or design that “lands” or rests on a specific eye surface. In eye care, the term is most commonly used in specialty contact lenses, especially scleral lenses. It describes how the lens edge or haptic aligns with the conjunctiva and sclera (the white of the eye). The goal is stable positioning with acceptable comfort and ocular surface health.

haptic most commonly means “related to touch” or tactile sensation. In eye care, haptic often refers to the supporting arms or structures on an intraocular lens (IOL) that help hold the lens in position inside the eye. The term is also used when discussing “haptic feedback” in surgical tools and training simulators, where touch-like force feedback helps guide fine movements. You may encounter haptic in cataract surgery discussions, lens implant design, and surgical education.

limbal clearance describes the space between a contact lens and the limbal area of the eye. It is most commonly discussed when fitting scleral and other specialty rigid contact lenses. In plain terms, it means “the lens is vaulting over the limbus instead of touching it.” Clinicians assess limbal clearance to balance comfort, eye health, and optical performance.

vault is a clinical term that describes the “clearance” or space between an eye structure and a lens or device. In eye care, it is most commonly discussed when fitting scleral contact lenses and implantable lenses. Clinicians use vault to judge whether a lens sits at a safe and effective distance from sensitive tissues. It is typically assessed during an eye exam using specialized imaging or microscope-based evaluation.