Glossary

BCC - Basal Cell Carcinoma  Is the most common form of skin cancer, it is rarely life threatening, but can cause bleeding, disfiguration and destruction of an area (eg the eye). The disease is often hereditary or can affect individuals who have been exposed to high levels of UV light via sunlight.

BCVA - Best Corrected Visual Acuity  Is the best possible level of vision an individual can achieve with their refractive correction, measured by an Optometrists eye chart.

Bilateral - Term used in refractive treatment when referring to both eyes.

Binocular Vision - Binocular vision comes from the Latin, Bin for two, and Oculus for eyes. It is vision where both eyes are used together. It has many advantages including a wider field of vision and depth perception.

Biometry - The application of statistics or mathematical analysis of data from the eye.

Blepharitis - Is inflammation of the eyelids; resulting in swelling, itching and redness; it is a common, reoccurring problem. There are two types of blepharitis: anterior, occurring on the front of the eyelids near the lashes; posterior, occurring on the part of the eyelid that touches the eye itself.

Blepharoplasty - Eyelid Hooding  A surgical procedure used for both functional and cosmetic purposes. The aim is to reshape the upper and/or lower eyelids through the removal and/or repositioning of excess tissue and by reinforcement of nearby muscles and tendons. If there is an excess of tissue on the upper eyelid this may cause drooping, whereas excess tissue on the lower eyelid is usually done for cosmetic reasons, to improve puffy eyelids, 'bags', and reduce wrinkles.

Blind Spot - Known as the physiological blind spot, it is the sightless area within the visual field of a healthy eye and corresponds to the optic disc. Caused by the lack of light-detecting photoreceptor cells on the optic disc, where the optic nerve enters the eye.

Bowmans Membrane/Layer - The layer located between the epithelium and the stroma, within the cornea. It is made up of strong collagen fibres and it helps the cornea to keep its shape.

B-Scan - B-Scan Ultrasonography  Is a routine diagnostic test used in Ophthalmology; it scans the eye and produces a two-dimensional, cross section of the eye. It is the same type of technology used during pregnancy and brings up images of muscles and tendons.