Definition

Noun: A surgical procedure involving a precise incision into the cornea of the eye. It is performed to correct refractive errors, such as astigmatism, or to relieve pressure within the eye.

Usage

This is a technical medical term. It is used in clinical, surgical, and ophthalmological contexts to describe a specific type of eye surgery. * The surgeon performed a keratotomy to reshape the patient's cornea and improve their vision. * Radial keratotomy was a common procedure for correcting myopia before the advent of laser surgery.

Advanced Usage

• Radial Keratotomy (RK): A now largely historical procedure where a series of spoke-like incisions are made in the peripheral cornea to flatten its center and correct nearsightedness.
  • Example: Radial keratotomy was popular in the 1980s but has been largely replaced by LASIK.
• Astigmatic Keratotomy (AK): Also called arcuate keratotomy, this involves making curved incisions to correct astigmatism, often during cataract surgery.
  • Example: The surgeon used astigmatic keratotomy to reduce the patient's corneal curvature.

Variants and Related Words

• Keratome (noun): A surgical instrument, typically a blade, used for making incisions in the cornea.
• Keratoplasty (noun): Surgical repair or transplantation of the cornea; a corneal graft.
• Keratotomy is a compound word from Greek roots: (cornea, horn) + (cutting, incision).

Synonyms

• Corneal incision
• Corneal surgery (a broader, less specific term)

Notes

This term refers specifically to the act of making an incision. It is distinct from other corneal procedures that use lasers (e.g., LASIK, PRK) or involve transplantation (keratoplasty).

Noun

1. surgical incision into the cornea