autophthalmoscope
|au-to-phthal-mo-scope|
🇺🇸
/ˌɔːtoʊfˈθælmoʊskoʊp/
🇬🇧
/ˌɔːtəfˈθælməskəʊp/
self-use instrument to view the inside of the eye
Etymology
'autophthalmoscope' originates from Greek elements: 'autós' meaning 'self', 'ophthalmos' meaning 'eye', and 'skopein' meaning 'to look' or 'to examine'.
'autophthalmoscope' is a compound formed in modern English from the established medical term 'ophthalmoscope' (from Greek 'ophthalmos' + '-scope') with the prefix 'auto-' attached to indicate 'self'. 'Ophthalmoscope' entered medical English in the 19th century via New Latin/French.
Originally, 'ophthalmoscope' referred generally to an instrument for examining the interior of the eye; the compounded form with 'auto-' narrowed the meaning to instruments intended for self-examination.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
an ophthalmoscope adapted or intended for use by the subject/patient themself to examine the interior (fundus) of their own eye.
The clinic provided an autophthalmoscope so the patient could monitor subtle changes in vision at home.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/11/27 19:29