Intrastromal keratomileusis
Intrastromal keratomileusis is an ophthalmic surgical operation used to treat some severe cases of short-sightedness (myopia).
More detail:
The word-component "kerato-" refers to the cornea (see also other similar terms in this section - listed on the left). The cornea of the eye consists of both its stroma (which is its connective tissue basis, i.e. the transparent fibrous tissue that forms the main body of the cornea) and its functional tissue (which is called the parenchyma).
The intrastromal keratomileusis procedure involves removal from the eye of a disc of tissue from the stroma of the cornea, which is then frozen, remodelled (i.e. shaped) using a piece of mechanical equipment called a lathe, then finally replaced back into the cornea. The purpose of these steps is to re-shape the cornea to reduce the extent of short-sightedness experienced by the patient.
There is now a laser treatment alternative to this surgical procedure.
More about Ophthalmology:
This section includes short definitions
of many diseases, disorders, and conditions of the eyes and visual system.
For definitions of other terms in this category, choose from the list
to the left (but note that this is not a complete/exhaustive list).
Other related pages include
- A diagram of the eye
- Definitions and descriptions of the parts of the eye
- A concise description of the human retina
- Definitions of parts of the retina
- Diseases and disorders of the human eye and the human visual system
For further information see also our pages of books about ophthalmology.
The following books may also be of interest:
