Does ophthalmomalacia mean hardening of the eye?

No, ophthalmomalacia does not mean hardening of the eye. Instead, it refers to the softening or degeneration of the eye tissues. The term "ophthalmo-" pertains to the eye, while "-malacia" indicates a softening condition. Hardening of the eye is typically associated with conditions such as scleritis or keratoconus, rather than ophthalmomalacia.