[Nomenclature of the macular area]

There is a confusion in terminology of macular area of the retina. Particularly in Japanese, the word "fovea" has been used both for clinical term of the very center of the fovea (foveola) and for the anatomical term of fovea centralis. Therefore, whenever the term "fovea" is used in ophthalmology, one has to specify which meaning the word is being used for. This is the main reason why we propose to revise the nomenclature of the macular area. Based upon the historic background of histological findings regarding the macular area of the retina, the most suitable term instead for clinical use is discussed. In conclusion, we propose the term "macular foveola" or simply "foveola" for clinical use in place of the term "fovea". In this revision, the clinical terms will be macular area, macula (lutea), and macular foveola or foveola, and the anatomical terms, area centralis, macula (lutea), fovea centralis, and foveola. We hope this will eliminate the confusion in terminology of the macular area.