How Do You Spell RADIAL KERATOTOMY?

1. Radial keratotomy (RK) is a surgical procedure primarily used to correct nearsightedness (myopia), although it can also be employed to treat other refractive errors of the eye. It involves making a series of radial incisions in the cornea, the clear front surface of the eye, in order to reshape it and improve the eye's ability to focus light onto the retina at the back of the eye.

   During radial keratotomy, typically performed with a diamond knife or a specialized automated instrument, the surgeon creates multiple spoke-like incisions in a radial pattern around the center of the cornea. The number of incisions can vary, ranging from four to 16 or more, and the length and depth of each incision are carefully determined based on the individual's specific prescription and corneal thickness.

   The incisions cause the cornea to curve, flattening its shape and reducing its ability to refract light excessively, thereby correcting the refractive error. By flattening the central cornea, the surgery can reduce the degree of nearsightedness, enabling the patient to see more clearly without the need for corrective lenses.

   Radial keratotomy was a popular refractive surgery procedure prior to the advent of more advanced techniques like laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) and photorefractive keratectomy (PRK). While it still has some limited applications, it has become less commonly performed due to potential complications, like visual disturbances and overcorrections, and the availability of safer and more precise options offered by modern laser-based refractive surgeries.

Common Misspellings for RADIAL KERATOTOMY

The word "radial keratotomy" is derived from the combination of two terms: "radial" and "keratotomy".

1. "Radial" comes from the Latin word "radius", which means "a ray". In a medical context, it refers to any structure, procedure, or condition that related to or involves a central point spreading out in a straight line, like spokes extending from a hub of a wheel.

2. "Keratotomy" comes from the Greek word "keratos", meaning "horn-like" or "cornea", and "tomē", which means "to cut". In medicine, "-otomy" is a suffix used to denote a surgical incision or cutting procedure.

Together, "radial keratotomy" literally means a surgical procedure that involves making radial incisions in the cornea of the eye.

Similar spelling word for RADIAL KERATOTOMY