DIOPTRY Meaning and
Definition
-
A dioptry, also known as diopter, is a unit of measurement used to quantify the optical power of a lens or the refractive error of an eye. It is widely employed in optometry and ophthalmology to assess and correct for various vision abnormalities.
Specifically, a dioptry is defined as the reciprocal of the focal length of a lens in meters. It represents the amount by which the lens diverges or converges parallel light rays passing through it. In other words, it indicates the strength or magnitude of the lens' ability to bend light.
When referring to the human eye, dioptry is used to describe the refractive error of the eye, which is commonly known as nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), or astigmatism. These refractive errors occur when the eye fails to focus light correctly onto the retina, resulting in blurry vision. An ophthalmologist or optometrist measures the refractive error of the eye in terms of positive or negative dioptries, indicating corrective lenses needed to achieve clear vision.
In summary, a dioptry is a unit of measurement representing the optical power of lenses or refractive error of the eye. It quantifies the ability of a lens to bend light or the correction required for clear vision, making it an essential concept in the field of vision correction and eye care.
-
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for DIOPTRY
- sioptry
- xioptry
- cioptry
- fioptry
- rioptry
- eioptry
- duoptry
- djoptry
- dkoptry
- dooptry
- d9optry
- d8optry
- diiptry
- dikptry
- dilptry
- dipptry
- di0ptry
- di9ptry
- diootry
Etymology of DIOPTRY
The word "dioptry" primarily derives from the Ancient Greek term "dioptrikḗ" (διοπτρική), which is related to the Greek word "dioptrós" (διόπτρος), meaning "transparent", "that which is seen through", or "window". The Greek philosopher and mathematician, Euclid, first introduced the concept of "dioptrikḗ" in his work "Optika" during the 3rd century BCE. The term was later adopted in various languages, including Latin and English, to refer to the study of light refraction and the measurement of optical power. Today, "dioptry" specifically denotes a unit of measurement used in optics to quantify the refractive power of lenses.
Infographic
Add the infographic to your website:
