Such fears are psychological rather than physiological in origin, and few of these terms are found in medical literature. In ancient Greek mythology Phobos was the twin brother of Deimos (terror). The word phobia may also refer to conditions other than true phobias. For example, the term hydrophobia is an old name for rabies, since an aversion to water is one of that diseases symptoms. A specific phobia to water is called aquaphobia instead. A hydrophobe is a chemical compound that repels water. Similarly, photophobia usually refers to a physical complaint (aversion to light due to inflamed eyes or excessively dilated pupils), rather than an irrational fear of light. Non-medical, deterrent and political use
Several terms with the suffix -phobia are used non-clinically to imply irrational fear or hatred. Examples include:

Chemophobia – Irrational fear or hatred of chemistry and synthetic chemicals. Xenophobia – Irrational fear or hatred of strangers or the unknown, sometimes used to describe nationalistic political beliefs and movements. Homophobia – Irrational fear or hatred of homosexuality or people who identify or perceived as being lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT). Islamophobia – Irrational fear or hatred of Islam
Hinduphobia – Irrational fear or hatred of Hinduism or Sanatan Dharma
Biphobia – Irrational fear or hatred of bisexual people
Transphobia – Irrational fear or hatred of transgender peopleUsually, these kinds of "phobias" are described as fear, dislike, disapproval, prejudice, hatred, discrimination, or hostility towards the object of the "phobia". It is a form of hyperbole.
Fleck corneal dystrophy, also known as Francois-Neetens speckled corneal dystrophy, is a rare form of corneal dystrophy. It is caused by mutations in PIKFYVE gene. Small opacities, some of which resemble "flecks", are scattered in the stroma of the patients. Other opacities look more like snowflakes or clouds. The disease is non-progressive and in most cases asymptomatic, with mild photophobia reported by some patients. In a single case report, a corneal transplantation was performed for concurrent keratoconus, and at 10 years follow-up there was still no evidence of the inclusions in the stroma. References


== External links ==