ophthalmo-

a combining form meaning “eye,” used in the formation of compound words:

ophthalmology.

Also, especially before a vowel, ophthalm-.

Origin

< Greek, combining form of ophthalmós

British Dictionary definitions for ophthalmo-

ophthalmo-

combining form

indicating the eye or the eyeball: ophthalmoscope

Word Origin

from Greek ophthalmoseye1

Word Origin and History for ophthalmo-

before vowels ophthalm-, word-forming element meaning "eye," mostly in plural, "the eyes," from Greek ophthalmo-, comb. form of ophthalmos "eye," originally "the seeing," of uncertain origin. Perhaps from ops "eye" (see optic) + a form related to thalamos "inner room, chamber" (see thalamus), giving the whole a sense of "eye and eye socket."

ophthalmo- in Medicine

ophthalmo- or ophthalm-
pref.
Eye; eyeball: ophthalmoscope.