xerophthalmia Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun abnormal dryness of the conjunctiva and cornea of the eyes; may be due to a systemic deficiency of vitamin A
    xeroma; xerophthalmus; conjunctivitis arida.

WordNet

Xe`roph*thal"mi*a noun
Etymology
L., fr. Gr. dry + the eye. See Ophthalmia.
Definitions
  1. (Med.) An abnormal dryness of the eyeball produced usually by long-continued inflammation and subsequent atrophy of the conjunctiva.

Webster 1913