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What Does OU Mean in Medical Terms?
OU stands for both eyes. Both eyes, from Latin oculus uterque.
both eyes
Both eyes, from Latin oculus uterque.
⚠ Caution — error-prone abbreviation. OU is on recognised error-prone abbreviation lists (ISMP pattern) because it can be misread or confused with similar terms. Many hospitals restrict or ban it in handwritten orders. Write the full form instead, and always verify against your institution’s approved list.
Where you will see OU
You will most often see OU in medical charts and clinical notes.
Example
A chart note might use “OU” as shorthand for both eyes when documenting a patient's care.
Related abbreviations
- A&O x4 — alert and oriented times four (person place time situation)
- a.m. — ante meridiem (morning)
- A/P — assessment and plan
- AC — anterior chamber (eye)
- ACG — angle-closure glaucoma
- ACIOL — anterior chamber intraocular lens
- ACR — American College of Radiology (appropriateness context)
- acuity — patient acuity (severity level)
Browse the full Medical Abbreviations guide — 5,715 entries, searchable A–Z and by specialty.
Educational reference only. This guide is for learning and quick reference. Abbreviations vary between hospitals, countries and specialties, and some are discouraged because they can be misread. Always write and interpret orders using your own institution’s approved abbreviation list, and check anything unclear with the prescriber or your local policy.