A patient with only one functioning eye is referred to as what?

A patient with only one functioning eye is referred to as a monocular patient. This term is derived from the prefix "mono-", meaning one, and "ocular," which relates to the eye. A monocular patient typically has vision in only one eye while the other eye may be blind or nonfunctional. Understanding this terminology is crucial in optical settings, as it can impact not only the selection of eyewear and optical aids but also the approach to patient care.

The other terms provided do not accurately describe a patient with one functioning eye. For instance, "low vision patient" refers to individuals who have significant visual impairment but retain some usable vision in both eyes. "Heterochromia" pertains to a condition where a person has differently colored eyes, which does not relate to functionality. Lastly, "acuity patient" is not a standard term used in optometry or ophthalmology and would not specify the condition of having only one functioning eye. Thus, the use of "monocular patient" clearly and directly identifies the specific situation regarding vision in one eye.