Meaning
白内障 is a medical term referring to the clouding of the eye's natural lens, which leads to decreased vision. It is one of the most common age-related eye conditions and a leading cause of vision impairment worldwide. The term literally means 'white internal obstruction,' describing the whitish appearance of the affected lens.
Usage
This is a formal medical term used by doctors, patients, and in health-related contexts. Native speakers typically use it when discussing eye health, aging-related conditions, or surgical procedures. It commonly appears with verbs like 患 (to suffer from), 得 (to get), or 治疗 (to treat).
Examples
- 01我奶奶上个月做了白内障手术，现在视力恢复得很好。, .My grandmother had cataract surgery last month, and her vision has recovered very well.
- 02老年人容易患白内障，应该定期检查眼睛。, .Elderly people are prone to cataracts and should have their eyes examined regularly.
Characters
Common collocations
- 白内障手术cataract surgery
- 患白内障to suffer from cataracts
- 老年性白内障age-related cataract
- 治疗白内障to treat cataracts
Origin
The term combines 白 (white) referring to the cloudy, whitish appearance of the lens, 内 (internal) indicating it occurs inside the eye, and 障 (obstruction) describing the impediment to vision. This descriptive naming reflects traditional Chinese medical terminology that often describes symptoms visually.