Microphthalmia is a medical condition that affects the eyes and causes them to be abnormally small. It can occur in one or both eyes and may be congenital or acquired. There are several other terms used to describe this condition, including microphthalmos, microphthalmus, and nanophthalmia. These terms all refer to the same basic condition of having small eyes, but they may indicate different degrees of severity or different underlying causes. Other related terms include anophthalmia (absence of one or both eyes), brachyophthalmia (shortened eye structure), and cataract microphthalmia syndrome (a genetic disorder affecting eye development). Early detection and treatment are important in managing microphthalmia and preventing complications.