Definition of "ophthalmia"

ophthalmia

/ɒfˈθælmiə/

noun
countable and uncountable, plural ophthalmias
1. (medicine) Synonym of ophthalmitis (“inflammation of the eye”)
  Quotations
  Dr. Buck reports that the Swabians also believe in the efficacy of fasting spittle for sore eyes; and our never-failing Pliny records the Roman belief that ophthalmia may be cured by anointing the eyes every morning with fasting spittle.
  1891 July, Fanny D. Bergen, “Animal and Plant Lore”, in Popular Science, page 377