The ROP FAQ
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The following post from the ROP list defines the term "phthisis". The ROP list was moderated by Dr. Scott Richards until August, 2002. The list is now hosted at YahooGroups.
Date: Wed, 2 Dec 1998 From: Scott Richards
Phthisis is an involution of the eye, usually caused by inflammation. After longstanding inflammation, unrepaired retinal detachment, or unusually high or low intraocular pressures, some eyes just seem to "quit". They start to shrink, pull back into the orbit, and may become painful. Usually if you see someone with a whitened, shrunken eye, it is phthisis. Phthisis is more of a description than a true diagnosis - it is the end result of a number of different problems with eyes.
Later posts to the new ROP list, and observations based on acquaintance with people who have experienced phthisis, indicate that it can be extremely painful. It can also be misdiagnosed; and some people have had it mistreated as glaucoma. Since phthisis is precisely the opposite of glaucoma, this situation can aggravate the pain. For this reason, it is vital to see a doctor immediately concerning severe pain in the eye.
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