Phototherapeutic keratectomy

Phototherapeutic keratectomy (pronunciation: fo-toe-ther-a-pew-tic ker-a-tek-toe-me) is a type of refractive surgery that uses a laser to reshape the cornea in the eye. This procedure is often used to treat various corneal diseases and conditions, such as corneal dystrophy, corneal erosion, and corneal scars.

Etymology

The term "phototherapeutic keratectomy" is derived from the Greek words "photo" (light), "therapeutic" (healing), and "keratectomy" (removal of part of the cornea).

Procedure

During a phototherapeutic keratectomy, a surgeon uses a laser to remove a small amount of tissue from the cornea. This reshapes the cornea and helps to correct or improve vision. The procedure is usually performed under local anesthesia and takes about 10 to 15 minutes.

Related Terms

Refractive surgery: A type of eye surgery that is used to improve the refractive state of the eye and decrease or eliminate dependency on glasses or contact lenses.
Cornea: The clear front surface of the eye that covers the iris, pupil, and anterior chamber.
Corneal dystrophy: A group of rare genetic eye disorders characterized by bilateral abnormal deposition of substances in the transparent front part of the eye, the cornea.
Corneal erosion: A condition where the layer of cells on the surface of the cornea, known as the corneal epithelium, loosens or peels off.
Corneal scars: Scarring that occurs in the cornea as a result of injury, infection, or inflammation.