“Ocular” versus “Optical”












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I am writing a SciFi novel in which military officers have electronic lenses implanted in their eyes to act as a tactical overlay. It is likely of little consequence, but I am unsure whether or not to call these an Ocular Implant or an Optical Implant, as the words are similar in meaning, but one might imply that the implant is a replacement of the eye with a bionic implant instead of just the lenses.



Is the wording of much consequence in this case?



If so, which would be more appropriate?



To be a bit more specific, I have already written quite a bit using the words interchangeably. Recently it has come to my attention that it could be confusing if the audience thinks everyone is walking around with robotic eyes. I just need to know if it is a distinct enough difference to bother going back and changing everything to the same adjective.










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    1














    I am writing a SciFi novel in which military officers have electronic lenses implanted in their eyes to act as a tactical overlay. It is likely of little consequence, but I am unsure whether or not to call these an Ocular Implant or an Optical Implant, as the words are similar in meaning, but one might imply that the implant is a replacement of the eye with a bionic implant instead of just the lenses.



    Is the wording of much consequence in this case?



    If so, which would be more appropriate?



    To be a bit more specific, I have already written quite a bit using the words interchangeably. Recently it has come to my attention that it could be confusing if the audience thinks everyone is walking around with robotic eyes. I just need to know if it is a distinct enough difference to bother going back and changing everything to the same adjective.










    share|improve this question

























      1












      1








      1







      I am writing a SciFi novel in which military officers have electronic lenses implanted in their eyes to act as a tactical overlay. It is likely of little consequence, but I am unsure whether or not to call these an Ocular Implant or an Optical Implant, as the words are similar in meaning, but one might imply that the implant is a replacement of the eye with a bionic implant instead of just the lenses.



      Is the wording of much consequence in this case?



      If so, which would be more appropriate?



      To be a bit more specific, I have already written quite a bit using the words interchangeably. Recently it has come to my attention that it could be confusing if the audience thinks everyone is walking around with robotic eyes. I just need to know if it is a distinct enough difference to bother going back and changing everything to the same adjective.










      share|improve this question













      I am writing a SciFi novel in which military officers have electronic lenses implanted in their eyes to act as a tactical overlay. It is likely of little consequence, but I am unsure whether or not to call these an Ocular Implant or an Optical Implant, as the words are similar in meaning, but one might imply that the implant is a replacement of the eye with a bionic implant instead of just the lenses.



      Is the wording of much consequence in this case?



      If so, which would be more appropriate?



      To be a bit more specific, I have already written quite a bit using the words interchangeably. Recently it has come to my attention that it could be confusing if the audience thinks everyone is walking around with robotic eyes. I just need to know if it is a distinct enough difference to bother going back and changing everything to the same adjective.







      word-choice






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      asked 2 days ago









      TitaniumTurtleTitaniumTurtle

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          I would definitely suggest going back through and making the adjectives consistent. If you use two different adjectives, readers are likely to think they're two different things.



          Which to choose is up to you. I'm pretty sure I've heard both in different sci-fi universes. For the record, the technical term for such a thing in real life is an intraocular lens.






          share|improve this answer





























            4














            The difference in meaning may help you determine which term you want to use. Optical relates to sight, whereas ocular relates to the eye.



            If your lenses are primarily intended to aid or affect "sight", or is primarily based on the manipulation of light, then optical might be a better term. (An example might be a zoomable lens for long-range reconnaissance or aim.)



            If the lenses are primarily intended for some other purpose, and their effect on "sight" is incidental, then the fact that they are located on the eye is the only relevant factor, and calling them ocular (or intraocular, as eyeballfrog suggests) may be better. (An example might be an augmented reality display which adds information about the scene - in this case, the fact that it's eye-mounted rather than head-mounted like AR glasses is relevant.)






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            • Optical more accurately refers to light, regardless of whether any humans are around to see it.
              – Tashus
              yesterday






            • 1




              @Tashus I used en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/optical which suggests sight rather than light. (The second definition does refer to visible light, but it's only in Physics contexts...)
              – Stobor
              19 hours ago






            • 1




              @Tashus - Actually, cross-checking with dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/optical and merriam-webster.com/dictionary/optical suggests regional variations in the usage.
              – Stobor
              19 hours ago










            • @Stober ah, I wasn't aware of regional differences. I am also used to the term in an engineering context and didn't consider its broader meaning. You have my upvote regardless.
              – Tashus
              8 hours ago



















            2














            Based on the purpose of the implant, Ocular Implant seems like a better name. However, avoid using the terms Ocular Implant and Optical Implant interchangeably. When reading sci-fi novels, readers tend to keep track of tech in terms of keywords so it is important to maintain constant terminology throughout your story.






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              3 Answers
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              I would definitely suggest going back through and making the adjectives consistent. If you use two different adjectives, readers are likely to think they're two different things.



              Which to choose is up to you. I'm pretty sure I've heard both in different sci-fi universes. For the record, the technical term for such a thing in real life is an intraocular lens.






              share|improve this answer


























                7














                I would definitely suggest going back through and making the adjectives consistent. If you use two different adjectives, readers are likely to think they're two different things.



                Which to choose is up to you. I'm pretty sure I've heard both in different sci-fi universes. For the record, the technical term for such a thing in real life is an intraocular lens.






                share|improve this answer
























                  7












                  7








                  7






                  I would definitely suggest going back through and making the adjectives consistent. If you use two different adjectives, readers are likely to think they're two different things.



                  Which to choose is up to you. I'm pretty sure I've heard both in different sci-fi universes. For the record, the technical term for such a thing in real life is an intraocular lens.






                  share|improve this answer












                  I would definitely suggest going back through and making the adjectives consistent. If you use two different adjectives, readers are likely to think they're two different things.



                  Which to choose is up to you. I'm pretty sure I've heard both in different sci-fi universes. For the record, the technical term for such a thing in real life is an intraocular lens.







                  share|improve this answer












                  share|improve this answer



                  share|improve this answer










                  answered yesterday









                  eyeballfrogeyeballfrog

                  7931310




                  7931310























                      4














                      The difference in meaning may help you determine which term you want to use. Optical relates to sight, whereas ocular relates to the eye.



                      If your lenses are primarily intended to aid or affect "sight", or is primarily based on the manipulation of light, then optical might be a better term. (An example might be a zoomable lens for long-range reconnaissance or aim.)



                      If the lenses are primarily intended for some other purpose, and their effect on "sight" is incidental, then the fact that they are located on the eye is the only relevant factor, and calling them ocular (or intraocular, as eyeballfrog suggests) may be better. (An example might be an augmented reality display which adds information about the scene - in this case, the fact that it's eye-mounted rather than head-mounted like AR glasses is relevant.)






                      share|improve this answer










                      New contributor




                      Stobor is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                      Check out our Code of Conduct.


















                      • Optical more accurately refers to light, regardless of whether any humans are around to see it.
                        – Tashus
                        yesterday






                      • 1




                        @Tashus I used en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/optical which suggests sight rather than light. (The second definition does refer to visible light, but it's only in Physics contexts...)
                        – Stobor
                        19 hours ago






                      • 1




                        @Tashus - Actually, cross-checking with dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/optical and merriam-webster.com/dictionary/optical suggests regional variations in the usage.
                        – Stobor
                        19 hours ago










                      • @Stober ah, I wasn't aware of regional differences. I am also used to the term in an engineering context and didn't consider its broader meaning. You have my upvote regardless.
                        – Tashus
                        8 hours ago
















                      4














                      The difference in meaning may help you determine which term you want to use. Optical relates to sight, whereas ocular relates to the eye.



                      If your lenses are primarily intended to aid or affect "sight", or is primarily based on the manipulation of light, then optical might be a better term. (An example might be a zoomable lens for long-range reconnaissance or aim.)



                      If the lenses are primarily intended for some other purpose, and their effect on "sight" is incidental, then the fact that they are located on the eye is the only relevant factor, and calling them ocular (or intraocular, as eyeballfrog suggests) may be better. (An example might be an augmented reality display which adds information about the scene - in this case, the fact that it's eye-mounted rather than head-mounted like AR glasses is relevant.)






                      share|improve this answer










                      New contributor




                      Stobor is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                      Check out our Code of Conduct.


















                      • Optical more accurately refers to light, regardless of whether any humans are around to see it.
                        – Tashus
                        yesterday






                      • 1




                        @Tashus I used en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/optical which suggests sight rather than light. (The second definition does refer to visible light, but it's only in Physics contexts...)
                        – Stobor
                        19 hours ago






                      • 1




                        @Tashus - Actually, cross-checking with dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/optical and merriam-webster.com/dictionary/optical suggests regional variations in the usage.
                        – Stobor
                        19 hours ago










                      • @Stober ah, I wasn't aware of regional differences. I am also used to the term in an engineering context and didn't consider its broader meaning. You have my upvote regardless.
                        – Tashus
                        8 hours ago














                      4












                      4








                      4






                      The difference in meaning may help you determine which term you want to use. Optical relates to sight, whereas ocular relates to the eye.



                      If your lenses are primarily intended to aid or affect "sight", or is primarily based on the manipulation of light, then optical might be a better term. (An example might be a zoomable lens for long-range reconnaissance or aim.)



                      If the lenses are primarily intended for some other purpose, and their effect on "sight" is incidental, then the fact that they are located on the eye is the only relevant factor, and calling them ocular (or intraocular, as eyeballfrog suggests) may be better. (An example might be an augmented reality display which adds information about the scene - in this case, the fact that it's eye-mounted rather than head-mounted like AR glasses is relevant.)






                      share|improve this answer










                      New contributor




                      Stobor is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                      Check out our Code of Conduct.









                      The difference in meaning may help you determine which term you want to use. Optical relates to sight, whereas ocular relates to the eye.



                      If your lenses are primarily intended to aid or affect "sight", or is primarily based on the manipulation of light, then optical might be a better term. (An example might be a zoomable lens for long-range reconnaissance or aim.)



                      If the lenses are primarily intended for some other purpose, and their effect on "sight" is incidental, then the fact that they are located on the eye is the only relevant factor, and calling them ocular (or intraocular, as eyeballfrog suggests) may be better. (An example might be an augmented reality display which adds information about the scene - in this case, the fact that it's eye-mounted rather than head-mounted like AR glasses is relevant.)







                      share|improve this answer










                      New contributor




                      Stobor is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                      Check out our Code of Conduct.









                      share|improve this answer



                      share|improve this answer








                      edited 19 hours ago





















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                      answered yesterday









                      StoborStobor

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                      • Optical more accurately refers to light, regardless of whether any humans are around to see it.
                        – Tashus
                        yesterday






                      • 1




                        @Tashus I used en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/optical which suggests sight rather than light. (The second definition does refer to visible light, but it's only in Physics contexts...)
                        – Stobor
                        19 hours ago






                      • 1




                        @Tashus - Actually, cross-checking with dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/optical and merriam-webster.com/dictionary/optical suggests regional variations in the usage.
                        – Stobor
                        19 hours ago










                      • @Stober ah, I wasn't aware of regional differences. I am also used to the term in an engineering context and didn't consider its broader meaning. You have my upvote regardless.
                        – Tashus
                        8 hours ago


















                      • Optical more accurately refers to light, regardless of whether any humans are around to see it.
                        – Tashus
                        yesterday






                      • 1




                        @Tashus I used en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/optical which suggests sight rather than light. (The second definition does refer to visible light, but it's only in Physics contexts...)
                        – Stobor
                        19 hours ago






                      • 1




                        @Tashus - Actually, cross-checking with dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/optical and merriam-webster.com/dictionary/optical suggests regional variations in the usage.
                        – Stobor
                        19 hours ago










                      • @Stober ah, I wasn't aware of regional differences. I am also used to the term in an engineering context and didn't consider its broader meaning. You have my upvote regardless.
                        – Tashus
                        8 hours ago
















                      Optical more accurately refers to light, regardless of whether any humans are around to see it.
                      – Tashus
                      yesterday




                      Optical more accurately refers to light, regardless of whether any humans are around to see it.
                      – Tashus
                      yesterday




                      1




                      1




                      @Tashus I used en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/optical which suggests sight rather than light. (The second definition does refer to visible light, but it's only in Physics contexts...)
                      – Stobor
                      19 hours ago




                      @Tashus I used en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/optical which suggests sight rather than light. (The second definition does refer to visible light, but it's only in Physics contexts...)
                      – Stobor
                      19 hours ago




                      1




                      1




                      @Tashus - Actually, cross-checking with dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/optical and merriam-webster.com/dictionary/optical suggests regional variations in the usage.
                      – Stobor
                      19 hours ago




                      @Tashus - Actually, cross-checking with dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/optical and merriam-webster.com/dictionary/optical suggests regional variations in the usage.
                      – Stobor
                      19 hours ago












                      @Stober ah, I wasn't aware of regional differences. I am also used to the term in an engineering context and didn't consider its broader meaning. You have my upvote regardless.
                      – Tashus
                      8 hours ago




                      @Stober ah, I wasn't aware of regional differences. I am also used to the term in an engineering context and didn't consider its broader meaning. You have my upvote regardless.
                      – Tashus
                      8 hours ago











                      2














                      Based on the purpose of the implant, Ocular Implant seems like a better name. However, avoid using the terms Ocular Implant and Optical Implant interchangeably. When reading sci-fi novels, readers tend to keep track of tech in terms of keywords so it is important to maintain constant terminology throughout your story.






                      share|improve this answer








                      New contributor




                      bkirthi is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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                        2














                        Based on the purpose of the implant, Ocular Implant seems like a better name. However, avoid using the terms Ocular Implant and Optical Implant interchangeably. When reading sci-fi novels, readers tend to keep track of tech in terms of keywords so it is important to maintain constant terminology throughout your story.






                        share|improve this answer








                        New contributor




                        bkirthi is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                        Check out our Code of Conduct.





















                          2












                          2








                          2






                          Based on the purpose of the implant, Ocular Implant seems like a better name. However, avoid using the terms Ocular Implant and Optical Implant interchangeably. When reading sci-fi novels, readers tend to keep track of tech in terms of keywords so it is important to maintain constant terminology throughout your story.






                          share|improve this answer








                          New contributor




                          bkirthi is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                          Check out our Code of Conduct.









                          Based on the purpose of the implant, Ocular Implant seems like a better name. However, avoid using the terms Ocular Implant and Optical Implant interchangeably. When reading sci-fi novels, readers tend to keep track of tech in terms of keywords so it is important to maintain constant terminology throughout your story.







                          share|improve this answer








                          New contributor




                          bkirthi is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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                          share|improve this answer



                          share|improve this answer






                          New contributor




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                          answered yesterday









                          bkirthibkirthi

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