Intrastromal keratomileusis is an ophthalmic
surgical operation used to treat some severe cases of short-sightedness
(myopia).
More detail:
First note use the word-component "kerato-"
as this refers to the cornea
(see also other terms in this section - listed on the left). The cornea
of the eye
consists of both its stroma (which is its connective
tissue basis, i.e. the transparent fibrous tissue that forms
the main body of the cornea) and its functional tissue (which
is called the parenchyma).
The intrastromal keratomileusis procedure involves removal
from the eye of a disc of tissue from the stroma of the cornea, which
is then frozen, remodelled (i.e. shaped) using a piece of mechanical equipment
caled a lathe, then finally replaced into the cornea. The purpose of these
steps is to re-shape the cornea to reduce the extent of short-sightedness
experienced by the patient, after full recovery from the procedure.
Note that there is now a laser treatment alternative to this surgical
procedure.
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. |
