What does xeroma mean?
Xeroma is the medical term for abnormal dryness of the conjunctiva, the membrane covering the front of the eye and lining the eyelids. It can cause irritation, redness, pain, and difficulty keeping the eyes moist. The condition may be associated with vitamin A deficiency, Sjögren syndrome, reduced tear production, medications, or other ocular disorders. In clinical writing, xeroma distinguishes pronounced conjunctival dryness from the broader everyday expression dry eye. The term also has an etymological connection with a number of other words built from the Greek root for dry, including xeric, xerophyte, and xerography. Because chronic eye dryness can threaten both comfort and vision, xeroma is a useful word for recognizing a condition that sounds minor but may require medical attention.
nounAbnormal dryness of the conjunctiva, the membrane that covers the white of the eye and lines the eyelids. Xeroma may occur with vitamin A deficiency, Sjögren syndrome, or other causes of severe ocular dryness.
- Abnormal dryness of the conjunctiva, commonly associated with vitamin A deficiency, Sjögren syndrome, or impaired tear production.
"The patient was diagnosed with xeroma after months of persistent eye irritation and reduced tear production."
"Vitamin A supplementation helped resolve the xeroma that had left her eyes persistently irritated."
"Ophthalmologists use the term xeroma when describing severe dryness of the conjunctiva in patients with Sjögren syndrome."
The standard plural adds -s.
"Severe xeromas can lead to corneal damage if they are not treated promptly."
The name literally points to dryness: xeroma is the medical term for an eye whose protective moisture has broken down.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of xeroma
Xeroma comes through New Latin from the Greek xēros, meaning “dry,” combined with the medical suffix -oma. The word was developed in medical usage to name dryness of the eye's conjunctival tissue. Its relatives xeric, xerophyte, xerography, and xeroderma preserve the same Greek root for dryness, although they apply it to plants, writing, and skin respectively.
How xeroma is actually used
This is a formal medical term used primarily in ophthalmology and clinical writing. In general usage, dry eye is more natural and accessible, though it can refer to a broader range of conditions.
Easily confused with xeroma
Xeroma is dryness primarily affecting the conjunctiva, whereas xerophthalmia specifically describes the eye condition caused by vitamin A deficiency and involving the cornea as well as the conjunctiva.
Xeroma affects the moisture of the eyes, while xerostomia is dryness of the mouth.