| immunotherapy, allergy | Stimulation of the immune system with gradually increasing doses of the substances to which a person is allergic, the aim being to modify or stop the allergy war (by reducing the strength of the IgE and its effect on the mast cells). This form of treatment is very effective for allergies to pollen, mites, cats, and especially stinging insects (e.g., bees, hornets, yellow jackets, wasps, velvet ants, fire ants). Allergy immunotherapy usually takes 6 months to a year to become effective and shots (injections) are usually required for 3-5 years. (12 Dec 1998) |
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| insulin allergy | When a person's body has an allergic or bad reaction to taking insulin made from pork or beef or from bacteria, or because the insulin is not exactly the same as human insulin or because it has impurities. The allergy can be of two forms. Sometimes an area of skin becomes red and itchy around the place where the insulin is injected. This is called a local allergy. In another form, a person's whole body can have a bad reaction. This is called a systemic allergy. The person can have hives or red patches all over the body or may feel changes in the heart rate and in the rate of breathing. A doctor may treat this allergy by prescribing purified insulins or by desensitisation. See: desensitisation. (09 Oct 1997) |
| test, skin, for allergy | A test done on the skin to identify the allergy substance (allergen) triggering the allergic reaction. A small amount of the suspected allergy substance is placed on the skin. The skin is then gently scratched through the small drop with a special sterile needle. If the skin reddens and, more importantly, swells, then allergy to that substance is probable. (12 Dec 1998) |
| latent allergy | Allergy that causes no signs or symptoms but can be revealed by means of certain immunologic tests with specific allergens. (05 Mar 2000) |
| accessory organs of the eye | The eyelids, with lashes and eyebrows, lacrimal apparatus, conjunctival sac, and extrinsic muscles of the eyeball. Synonym: organa oculi accessoria, accessory organs, accessory visual apparatus, adnexa oculi, appendages of eye. (05 Mar 2000) |
| accommodation of eye | The increase in thickness and convexity of the eye's lens in order to focus the image of an external object upon the retina. (05 Mar 2000) |
| amaurotic cat's eye | A yellow reflex from the pupil in cases of retinoblastoma or pseudoglioma. (05 Mar 2000) |
| anterior chamber of eye | The space between the cornea anteriorly and the iris/pupil posteriorly, filled with a watery fluid (aqueous humor) and communicating through the pupil with the posterior chamber. Synonym: camera anterior bulbi, camera oculi anterior, camera oculi major. (05 Mar 2000) |
| anterior eye segment | That part of the eyeball anterior to the lens. (12 Dec 1998) |
| aphakic eye | The eye from which the lens is absent. (05 Mar 2000) |
| appendages of eye | The eyelids, with lashes and eyebrows, lacrimal apparatus, conjunctival sac, and extrinsic muscles of the eyeball. Synonym: organa oculi accessoria, accessory organs, accessory visual apparatus, adnexa oculi, appendages of eye. (05 Mar 2000) |
| artificial eye | A curved disk of opaque glass or plastic, containing an imitation iris and pupil in the centre, inserted beneath the eyelids and supported by the orbital contents after evisceration or enucleation; it may be ready-made (stock) or custom-made. (05 Mar 2000) |
| bird's-eye | <botany> A plant with a small bright flower, as the Adonis or pheasant's eye, the mealy primrose (Primula farinosa), and species of Veronica, Geranium, etc. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| black eye | Ecchymosis of the lids and their surroundings. (05 Mar 2000) |
| bleary eye | Sore, runny, watery eye with an associated lackluster appearance and, by extension, dimness of vision. (05 Mar 2000) |