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New words proposed for the new millennium
Omniopia, omnivision, superopia and hypervision are suggested for reconceptualizing the future of ophthalmology.
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As we approach the true chronological beginning of the new millennium, let us pause for an overview of our current conceptual perspective and evaluate its adequacy for the present and future.
Our conceptual reality is in a constant state of refinement from what has been to what we think should be. The present perspective has a clear link to and influence from the past, which must always be respected, yet discarded when appropriate — sometimes gradually, sometimes abruptly.
Our perspective, molded by concepts expressed in our vocabulary, is the embodiment of our goals and expectations, which must be clearly perceived if they are to be realized. Vague wonderings and wantings will not suffice. Such now familiar terms as keratoplasty, cryoextraction, phacoemulsification, viscoelastic, laser and LASIK refer to once new and radical concepts, contributions to ophthalmology that were the result of conceptual clarity and that have now become an integral part of our reality.
Conceptual gap
I suggest that we once again need to reconceptualize our ophthalmological perspective. There is a surprising conceptual gap that I have found to exist: namely, that there has been no ophthalmological term to describe the visual optical condition of clear, unaided vision at both distance and near. All existing terms such as myopia, hyperopia and presbyopia refer only to the visual optical condition at distance or near, but not to both. In retrospect, this conceptual limitation has been consistent with the prevalent paradigm of the time. The need for spectacles, at least for near vision, has been generally acceptable to the practicing ophthalmologist and has allowed a certain orientation in our conceptual perspective.
Today, emmetropia, with its implied unaided 20/20 vision at distance, but with no reference to near vision, is no longer our visual goal.
At the 1995 Welsh Congress in Houston, I introduced the term “omniopia” (from the Latin omnis, all, and Greek ops, eye), defined as the visual optical condition of an eye capable of providing clear unaided vision at both distance and near. It encompasses both emmetropia and accomodation, combining them conceptually into a single visual optical system. “Omnivision,” clear unaided distance and near vision created by omniopia, is the result. It is the only truly acceptable end result of visual correction.
Super vision
Furthermore, what is considered acceptably clear is changing. Now, with the technological ability of computers linked with lasers to create custom laser refractive correction, the once acceptable acuity of 20/20 may no longer be adequate, but possibly 20/15, 20/10 or 20/08 (the theoretical limit of the retina) may be the desired goal. We will now be striving for a kind of “superopia” (from the Latin super, above, and Greek ops, eye), defined as the visual optical condition of the eye providing unaided visual acuity better than 20/20. This condition will give “hypervision” (from the Greek hyper, over or above, and Latin vider, see), vision better than 20/20.
These new terms, omniopia, omnivision, superopia and hypervision are terms that represent a manifest reconceptualization of our perspective. As we emerge into the 21st century, our perspective and goals must be continually refined, updated and possibly redefined in order to provide our patients with the best possible care. We must constantly be on the alert for improvements and never complacent. Omniopia, omnivision, superopia and hypervision reconceptualize the present and near future. Who knows what the more distant future will bring?
For Your Information:
- Frederick T. Feaster, MD, can be reached at Feaster Specialty Eye Care Centers, 6950 Central Ave., Ste. 130, St. Petersburg, FL 33707; (727) 344-3937.