oculo

Oculo is a Latin-derived combining form meaning “eye” that appears in ophthalmology, anatomy, and related fields. It is used to form compounds that denote a relation to the eye, and it is often interchangeable with the stem ocul- in many terms. The standard Latin root is oculus, the singular for “eye,” with ocule or oc(u)lo- appearing in various biomedical words.

In medical terminology, oculo- or ocul/o forms appear in words describing eye-related structures, functions, or disorders. Examples include oculomotor, relating to the muscles that move the eye; oculofacial, referring to both the eye and the face; and oculopathy, a disease of the eye. The prefix is usually joined with Greek- or Latin-derived suffixes to create precise terms for anatomy, pathology, or clinical procedures. The form oc(u)lo- is typically used in more formal or compound terms, while ocul- is common in everyday ophthalmic language.

In broader usage, the classic Latin noun oculus also yields the architectural term oculus, which denotes a circular opening in a dome or wall. This architectural sense is distinct from the medical oculo- prefix, though both share the same Latin root for “eye” or circular opening in some cases.

See also: oculus, ocular, oculomotor, oculoplasty, oculopathy, oculography. While oculo is primarily a medical prefix, its appearance is most often encountered in specialized terminology rather than as a standalone word.