KERATECTOMY Meaning and
Definition
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Keratectomy is a medical procedure or surgical intervention involving the removal of a portion or layer of the cornea, which is the clear, transparent front part of the eye. The term "kera" is derived from the Greek word for cornea, while "ectomy" refers to the surgical removal or excision of a specific body part.
This procedure may be performed for various reasons, including treating certain corneal conditions or refractive errors. For instance, keratectomy can be employed to correct myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), or astigmatism by reshaping the cornea to improve the eye's ability to focus light onto the retina accurately.
Keratectomy can be carried out using different techniques, such as laser-assisted or manual techniques. The most common laser-assisted method is known as photorefractive keratectomy (PRK), which involves using an excimer laser to precisely remove a specific amount of tissue from the cornea. Other variations include laser epithelial keratomileusis (LASEK) and laser subepithelial keratomileusis (LASEK).
After undergoing a keratectomy, patients may experience temporary discomfort or visual disturbances during the healing process. It is essential for individuals to follow post-operative instructions provided by their ophthalmologist or eye surgeon to ensure proper recovery and minimize potential complications.
Overall, keratectomy is primarily a surgical procedure performed on the cornea to address specific vision problems or conditions, providing improved visual acuity and reducing reliance on corrective eyewear for many patients.
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Excision of a greater or lesser portion of the cornea.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for KERATECTOMY
- jeratectomy
- meratectomy
- leratectomy
- oeratectomy
- ieratectomy
- kwratectomy
- ksratectomy
- kdratectomy
- krratectomy
- k4ratectomy
- k3ratectomy
- keeatectomy
- kedatectomy
- kefatectomy
- ketatectomy
- ke5atectomy
- ke4atectomy
- kerztectomy
- kerstectomy
- kerwtectomy
Etymology of KERATECTOMY
The word "keratectomy" can be broken down into two main parts: "kera-" and "-ectomy".
The prefix "kera-" is derived from the Greek word "keras", meaning "horn" or "horny tissue". In medical terminology, "kera-" is often used to refer to the cornea, which is the clear, dome-shaped tissue covering the front of the eye.
The suffix "-ectomy" comes from the Greek word "ektomē", meaning "excision" or "removal". It is commonly used in medical terms to indicate the surgical removal or excision of a specific body part or tissue.
Therefore, the word "keratectomy" combines the two components to describe a surgical procedure that involves the removal or excision of part of the cornea, typically to correct vision problems such as astigmatism or nearsightedness.
Similar spelling words for KERATECTOMY
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