Clinical Glossary
A guide to clinical and technical terms used in Medicue
Medicue AS · Org.nr. 927 533 235 Medicue UK Ltd · Co. no. 15977689
Reviewed by: Jon Olav Hunderi MD PhD: 25 March 2026
This glossary explains the clinical and technical terms you may encounter when using the Medicue Platform. It is intended for patients, optometrists, clinic staff and procurement professionals.
Eye conditions
Dry eye disease (DED)
A common condition where the eyes do not produce enough tears, or where tears evaporate too quickly. Symptoms include a gritty, burning or stinging sensation, redness, blurred vision and, paradoxically, watery eyes. Your optometrist can recommend treatments ranging from lubricating eye drops to lifestyle changes depending on severity.
Watering eyes (epiphora)
A condition where the eyes produce excessive tears, causing them to overflow onto the face. It can be caused by irritation, blocked tear ducts, or other underlying eye conditions. Your optometrist will assess the cause during your appointment.
Glaucoma
A group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerve, usually due to increased pressure within the eye. It often develops without noticeable early symptoms, which is why regular eye examinations are important. Early detection and treatment can prevent significant vision loss.
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD)
A condition affecting the macula — the central part of the retina — causing gradual loss of central vision. It is more common in people over 60. Your optometrist will check for early signs of AMD as part of a routine eye examination.
Cataract
A clouding of the natural lens inside the eye, causing progressively blurry or hazy vision. Cataracts develop slowly and are very common with age. They are treated with a routine surgical procedure once vision is significantly affected.
Blepharitis
Inflammation of the eyelids, typically affecting the edges near the eyelashes. Symptoms include red, itchy, sore eyelids and crusting around the lashes. It is a chronic condition managed effectively with regular eyelid hygiene.
Conjunctivitis
Inflammation or infection of the conjunctiva — the thin layer covering the white of the eye and inner eyelids. Causes redness, discharge and irritation. Can be caused by bacterial or viral infection, allergy, or environmental irritation.
Clinical tools used in Medicue
DEQ-5 (Dry Eye Questionnaire 5)
A clinically validated five-question screening tool assessing the presence and severity of dry eye symptoms. It asks about the frequency and intensity of eye discomfort, dryness and watering. Your answers help your optometrist understand your day-to-day eye health and provide a consistent, comparable measurement over time. The DEQ-5 is recommended in international clinical guidelines including the Dry Eye Workshop (DEWS II) recommendations.
Flagged information
When your questionnaire answers indicate a clinically important finding — such as sudden changes in vision, new eye pain or flashing lights — these responses are automatically highlighted in red for your optometrist to review before your appointment. A flagged response does not necessarily mean something serious is wrong; it ensures your optometrist pays particular attention to that area during your consultation.
Customer needs
Questionnaire responses that indicate something you would like to discuss or learn more about at your appointment — for example, an interest in contact lenses or questions about your general eye health. These are highlighted in green to help your optometrist tailor the consultation to your individual needs.
Sign-off
The formal action taken by a clinician confirming they have read and reviewed your submitted health information. Sign-off is recorded in the platform as an acknowledgement that the information has been considered prior to the consultation.
Clinical roles
Optometrist
A regulated healthcare professional qualified to examine eyes, assess vision, prescribe glasses and contact lenses, and detect eye diseases and conditions. In the UK, optometrists must be registered with the General Optical Council (GOC). In Norway, optometrists are regulated under the Health Personnel Act (Helsepersonelloven).
Dispensing optician
A regulated healthcare professional qualified to fit and supply spectacles and contact lenses based on a prescription from an optometrist or ophthalmologist. Registered with the General Optical Council in the UK.
Ophthalmologist
A medical doctor specialising in the diagnosis and treatment of eye diseases and conditions, including surgical treatment. If your optometrist identifies a condition requiring medical or surgical management, they will refer you to an ophthalmologist.
Clinical Safety Officer (CSO)
A qualified clinician appointed within a digital health organisation to take responsibility for the clinical safety of its software. Medicue has a designated CSO with professional qualifications in eye health, responsible for overseeing clinical risk management in the development and maintenance of the platform.
Data and regulatory terms
Special category data
Under GDPR, information about your physical or mental health is classified as "special category data" due to its sensitive nature. It receives a higher level of legal protection than general personal data, and organisations must have a specific legal basis for processing it.
GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation)
EU and UK legislation setting out how organisations must collect, store, use and protect personal data. Medicue complies with both the EU GDPR and the UK GDPR. Our full Privacy Policy is available at www.medicue.com/privacy.
CE Mark — Class I Medical Device
CE Mark certification indicates a product meets EU safety, health and regulatory requirements. The Medicue Platform holds a CE Mark as a Class I Medical Device under EU MDR 2017/745. Class I is the lowest risk classification — Medicue collects and processes patient health information to support clinical consultations.
Two-factor authentication (2FA)
A security mechanism requiring users to verify their identity in two separate ways when logging in — typically a password combined with a one-time code sent to a mobile phone. Medicue requires 2FA for all clinician access to protect patient data.
DCB0129
An NHS Digital standard for clinical risk management in the manufacture of health IT systems. Medicue maintains a formal clinical risk management process aligned with DCB0129, overseen by our designated Clinical Safety Officer.
If you encounter a term not listed here, please contact us at hello@medicue.com and we will add it to the next update of this glossary.
Medicue AS · Org.nr. 927 533 235 · Dampskipsbrygga 12A, 1607 Fredrikstad, Norway
Medicue UK Ltd · Co. no. 15977689 · 47 Kings Road, Cowplain, Waterlooville, PO8 8UT, UK
www.medicue.com · hello@medicue.com · Effective: 25 March 2026
