APA Dictionary of Psychology

n. severe inflammation of the eye that may affect either the conjunctiva or deeper structures. Mucous (or catarrhal) ophthalmia is a form of conjunctivitis with a purulent secretion; electric ophthalmia is produced by exposure to the light of an electric welding torch; neuroparalytic ophthalmia is a corneal inflammation with possible ulceration associated with lesions of the trigeminal nerve. See also trachoma.