IOL
Abbreviation with 2 meanings
| Stands for | Induction of labor |
|---|---|
| Meanings | 2 |
| Categories | Medical |
IOL has two meanings. It stands for Induction of labor (obstetrics & gynecology) or Intraocular lens (surgical).
Meanings of IOL at a glance
| # | IOL stands for | Context |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Induction of labor | Medical › Obstetrics & Gynecology |
| 2 | Intraocular lens | Medical › Surgical |
1. Induction of labor
Medical · Obstetrics & Gynecology Abbreviations
Starting labor artificially before it begins on its own, using cervical ripening agents such as misoprostol or a balloon catheter, oxytocin infusion and amniotomy. About a third of US births now involve induction.
Example: IOL at 39 weeks for gestational hypertension; Bishop score 4, start misoprostol 25 mcg.
The Bishop score rates how ready the cervix is; scores of 8 or more predict success. The ARRIVE trial (2018) found that elective induction at 39 weeks in first-time mothers slightly lowered cesarean rates. In ophthalmology IOL means intraocular lens, the implant placed during cataract surgery.
2. Intraocular lens
Medical · Surgical Abbreviations
Artificial lens implanted in the eye, most often to replace the natural lens removed during cataract surgery. Options include monofocal, toric (astigmatism-correcting), multifocal and extended-depth-of-focus designs.
Example: Toric IOL selected to correct 2 diopters of astigmatism.
British ophthalmologist Harold Ridley implanted the first IOL in 1949 after noticing that fragments of aircraft canopy plastic were tolerated in pilots' eyes. Lens power is calculated from eye length and corneal curvature. Phakic IOLs are implanted without removing the natural lens to correct very high nearsightedness.
Related abbreviations
More obstetrics & gynecology abbreviations
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- IUD – Intrauterine device
- IUFD – Intrauterine fetal demise
- IUGR – Intrauterine growth restriction
- IUI – Intrauterine insemination
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More surgical abbreviations
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- HIPEC – Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy
- I&D – Incision and drainage
- IM – Intramedullary (nail or rod)
- LAGB – Laparoscopic adjustable gastric band
- Lap – Laparoscopic (laparoscopy)
- Lap chole – Laparoscopic cholecystectomy
- LAR – Low anterior resection
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This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.