Xeroma vs. Xerophthalmia — What's the Difference?

(medicine) Dryness of the eye.

Xerophthalmia (from Ancient Greek "xērós" (ξηρός) meaning "dry" and "ophthalmos" (οφθαλμός) meaning "eye") is a medical condition in which the eye fails to produce tears. It may be caused by vitamin A deficiency, which is sometimes used to describe that condition, although there may be other causes.

Abnormal dryness of the conjunctiva and cornea of the eyes; may be due to a systemic deficiency of vitamin A

Extreme dryness and thickening of the conjunctiva, often resulting from a deficiency of vitamin A.

(ophthalmology) A condition due to a deficiency of vitamin A where the conjunctiva and cornea become dry. The condition starts with conjunctival xerosis and night blindness and progresses to corneal xerosis and, later, a severe condition called keratomalacia.

An abnormal dryness of the eyeball produced usually by long-continued inflammation and subsequent atrophy of the conjunctiva.

Abnormal dryness of the conjunctiva and cornea of the eyes; may be due to a systemic deficiency of vitamin A