Med. [a. Gr. χήμωσις (Galen) ‘an affection of the eyes, when the cornea swells like a cockle-shell (χήμη).’]
An affection of the conjunctiva of the eye, ‘in which there is effusion into the cellular substance connecting it with the eyeball; which causes it to be elevated and projected over the edge of the cornea’ (Syd. Soc. Lex.).
1708. J. Harris, Lex. Techn., Chemosis, is the Tumor of the Albugineous Tunick that maketh the Black of the Eye appear Concave.
1875. H. Walton, Dis. Eye, 43. The conjunctiva is swollen, with a vascular chemosis.
Hence Chemosed ppl. a. [cf. ANASTOMOSE], affected with chemosis.
1875. H. Walton, Dis. Eye, 47. Scarification of the chemosed conjunctiva may be requisite.
