Definition

Noun: - A surgical procedure for correcting nearsightedness (myopia) in which a series of radial (spoke-like) incisions are made in the cornea, causing it to flatten and thereby changing its refractive power.

Usage

• Noun:
  • Radial keratotomy was a common vision correction surgery before the advent of LASIK.
  • The ophthalmologist explained the risks and benefits of radial keratotomy to the patient.

Advanced Usage

• Historical Context: While largely superseded by laser-based procedures like LASIK and PRK, radial keratotomy represents a significant historical development in refractive surgery.
  • Radial keratotomy paved the way for modern laser eye surgery techniques.

Variants and Related Words

• RK (n): A common abbreviation for radial keratotomy.
  • The patient's records indicated he had RK performed in the 1990s.
• Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) (n): A later, laser-based surface ablation procedure for vision correction.
• LASIK (n): A later, laser-based flap procedure that has largely replaced radial keratotomy.

Synonyms

• Refractive eye surgery: A broader category of surgical procedures to correct vision, which includes radial keratotomy.
• RK surgery: A synonymous term using the common abbreviation.

Related Terms and Concepts

• Myopia (n): Nearsightedness, the condition radial keratotomy was designed to correct.
• Cornea (n): The transparent front part of the eye that is surgically altered in this procedure.
• Incision (n): The cuts made in the cornea during the surgery.
• Astigmatism (n): A potential side effect or complication that could be induced by radial keratotomy.

Noun

1. radial pattern of incisions in the cornea that cause the cornea to bulge; performed to correct myopia