glaucoma

Term: glaucoma

Origin:  An Greek γλαυκός/glaucos(=bluish-green, gray) + ωμα/oma (=noun suffix used to denote  "marked growth). The Greek word for owl was also γλαυξ/glaux.

ancient coin from Athens

Coined: The ancient Greeks coined the term glaucoma in order to describe all eye diseases that lead to blindness. In the first several centuries A.D., cataracts, which can be treated, started to be distinguished from glaucoma, which could not be amended.  

Definition: A group of eye disease which is the result of optic nerve damage leading to permanent and progressive vision loss or blindness. Glaucoma is due mainly to increases eye pressure.