: the dense fibrous opaque white outer coat enclosing the eyeball except the part covered by the cornea see eye illustration
scleral adjective

Examples of sclera in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Or, the light may be powerful enough to have effects on the blood flow to the back of the eye, or the sclera (the white part of the eye). Annalisa Merelli, STAT, 2 Feb. 2024 The sclera and conjunctiva (the thin, clear membrane that protects your sclera) may also develop a gray or yellowish tint largely due to UV damage (although smoking can also cause discoloration of the eyeballs). Didi Gluck, Allure, 5 Dec. 2023 The white part of the eye, or sclera, also loses collagen. Didi Gluck, Allure, 5 Dec. 2023 During a trabeculectomy, the surgeon will make a small incision in the white part of your eye (the sclera) and remove a portion of the tissue so the eye can drain better. Amy Marturana Winderl, Cpt, Health, 25 Nov. 2023 The uvea is the middle layer of the eye between the sclera (white part) and the retina (the light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye). Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Nov. 2023 The injury caused a rupture to his left choroid, which is the part of the eye located between the sclera, or whites of the eye, and the retina, the layer of cells lining the internal wall at the back of the eye, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Nikki Dobrin, Peoplemag, 1 Sep. 2023 In his bust, Gurche chose to make the sclera—the whites of the eyes—dark, consistent with their coloration in modern apes. Jennifer Barone, Discover Magazine, 27 Oct. 2010 The ability to wrinkle the brow — which is not found in wolves — exposes the sclera, or white of the eye, and is one of a number of factors that gives domestic dogs a more puppy-like appearance. Richard Pallardy, Discover Magazine, 16 Dec. 2021

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sclera.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek sklēros

First Known Use

1888, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sclera was in 1888

Dictionary Entries Near sclera

Cite this Entry

“Sclera.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sclera. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

sclera

noun
: the dense fibrous white or bluish white tissue that forms the outer covering of the back five-sixths of the eye and is replaced in front by the transparent cornea with which it is continuous

Medical Definition

sclera

noun
: the dense fibrous opaque white outer coat enclosing the eyeball except the part covered by the cornea

called also sclerotic, sclerotic coat

More from Merriam-Webster on sclera

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