A Radial keratotomy is a surgical procedure
on the cornea
of the eye.
This is implied by the term "radial keratotomy" because
the part "kerato-" refers to the cornea, as
is also true of other terms in this section (listed on the left), and
the part "-otomy" usually indicates "cutting",
"dividing", or "separating" the specified body-part,
component, or type of tissue.
A radial keratotomy, is a surgical operation to treat
short-sightedness (myopia).
During this procedure, deep cuts "incisions" are made into the
tissue of the cornea of the eye. These cuts are made radially around the
outer two-thirds of the cornea of the eye in order to flatten the curvature
of the central part of the cornea. This procedure has been used for milder,
rather than more severe cases of myopia, and is in many cases now being
replaced by excimer laser treatment.
Patients can generally obtain information about this, and other procedures,
from their ophthalmologist (ophthalmic surgeon).
This section includes short definitions
of clinical and surgical procedures concerning the eyes and human visual
system. For definitions of other terms in this category, choose from
the list to the left. Other related pages include the diagram
of the eye, and definitions
of parts of the eye, a description
of the human retina, and the section about disorders
of the eye and visual system. |
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