radial keratotomy

radial keratotomy
Ophthalm.
a surgical technique for correcting nearsightedness by making a series of spokelike incisions in the cornea to change its shape and focusing properties.
[1975-80; KERATO- + -TOMY]

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▪ surgical procedure
      surgical procedure to correct myopia (nearsightedness) by reducing the radius of curvature of the cornea and astigmatism (asymmetrical curvature of the cornea). A series of 4 to 8 equally spaced deep cuts are made in the peripheral cornea, leaving the central cornea above the pupil clear. Intraocular pressure then pushes the weakened central cornea outward, flattening it and modifying its refractive power. Wound contraction during healing also affects corneal curvature by exerting radial tension on the uncut area.

      Radial keratotomy improves visual acuity to a modest extent, enabling some people with low-level myopia to see well without the aid of spectacles or contact lenses. The procedure has been somewhat controversial, however, because the degree of improvement is unpredictable, depending in part on individual healing rate. Some people who have undergone surgery still require corrective lenses. The procedure is irreversible and may leave extensive scars on the cornea, causing glare in bright light and possibly interfering with the wearing of contact lenses (in cases of continued myopia).

      Because repeated operations to correct residual defects may be effective in some cases and do not seem to increase the complications of the initial procedure, some surgeons have suggested that the operation be performed in stages until optimal visual correction can be achieved, but this view is not widely accepted. The improvement in vision that may occur with additional operations must be weighed against increased corneal scarring.

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Universalium. 2010.

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  • Radial keratotomy — (RK) is a refractive surgical procedure to correct myopia. Discovery The procedure was discovered by accident by Svyatoslav Fyodorov who removed glass from the eye of one of his patients who had been in an accident. A boy, who wore eyeglasses,… …   Wikipedia

  • radial keratotomy — n. a surgical operation for correcting nearsightedness in which a series of minute, shallow incisions in a radial pattern are made in the cornea …   English World dictionary

  • Radial keratotomy — An eye surgery procedure designed to flatten the cornea, reducing its optical power, to correct nearsightedness (myopia). In the procedure, incisions (cuts) are made in the cornea. The procedure is said to be radial because the incisions resemble …   Medical dictionary

  • radial keratotomy — noun Date: 1980 a surgical operation on the cornea for the correction of myopia that involves flattening it by making a series of incisions in a radial pattern resembling the spokes of a wheel compare photorefractive keratotomy …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • radial keratotomy — noun radial pattern of incisions in the cornea that cause the cornea to bulge; performed to correct myopia • Hypernyms: ↑keratotomy …   Useful english dictionary

  • radial keratotomy — noun an eye surgery procedure to correct myopia (near sightedness) using a series of incisions in the cornea, radiating from a central point (hence radial) …   Wiktionary

  • radial keratotomy — an operation for short sightedness (myopia). Deep cuts into the tissue of the cornea are placed radially around the outer two thirds of the cornea; this flattens the curvature of the central part of the cornea and reduces the myopia. This… …   The new mediacal dictionary

  • radial keratotomy — ra′dial ker•a•tot′o•my [[t]ˌkɛr əˈtɒt ə mi[/t]] n. oph a surgical technique for correcting nearsightedness by making a series of spokelike incisions in the cornea to change its shape and focusing properties • Etymology: 1975–80 …   From formal English to slang

  • Laser radial keratotomy — is Radial Keratotomy performed with the aid of a Laser. Laser Radio Keratotomy was practiced before the now common Lasik. Early Ophthalmologists Donald E. Rodgers …   Wikipedia

  • Keratotomy — is a type of refractive surgical procedure and can refer to: * Radial keratotomy * Photorefractive keratotomy …   Wikipedia

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