Glossary

Inflammation - The bodys response to harmful stimuli, it attempts to remove injurious stimuli and initiate the healing process within the affected tissue. Inflammation can be related to infection, but should never be confused with it.

IOL - Intra-Ocular Lens - Is an artificial lens implanted into the eye. This is to replace the eye's natural crystalline lens after either cataract surgery, where the eyes lens has become cloudy, or after refractive surgery, where the eyes prescription is too great to be treated by laser and needs replacing to alter the eyes optical power. There are two types of IOLs, monofocal lenses, which aid distance vision, and multifocal lenses, which adapt for both distance and close up vision.

IOL Master - Is a piece of diagnostic equipment used in the diagnosis of cataracts and determining which IOL (Intra-Ocular Lens) is suitable for an individual. It looks at the Biometry of the eye; the interior measurements relating to the thickness, length and depth of an individuals eye.

IOP - Intra-Ocular Pressure  Is the fluid pressure inside the eye. It is determined by the production of the aqueous humour in the eye and its drainage through the Trabecular meshwork. It is measured by a Tonometer and it is important in diagnosing glaucoma.

Iridotomy - An operation to make a hole in the iris to relieve intra-ocular pressure (IOP) within the eye. The procedure is either made with an incision or by using a laser and is used as a form of treatment for glaucoma.

Iris - The part of the eye that regulates the amount of light entering the eye. It acts as a muscular diaphragm, opening and closing to different light levels. It contains pigmented cells in varying amounts that give colour to the eye.

Ischemia - An inadequate supply of blood to a tissue in the body, caused by constriction or blockage of the blood vessel supplying it.