What does "ou" mean in medical terms?

In medical terminology, "ou" is an abbreviation that stands for "oculus uterque," which is Latin for "both eyes." This term is commonly used in prescriptions and medical documentation to indicate that the treatment or examination applies to both eyes simultaneously.

This is especially pertinent in fields like optometry and ophthalmology, where it’s critical to differentiate between treatments for one eye versus both eyes. Understanding this abbreviation allows healthcare practitioners and pharmacy technicians to interpret prescriptions accurately and provide the appropriate medications or treatments to patients.