Corneal surgery

Alternative names:

nearsightedness surgery; radial keratotomy

Definition:

Surgery to correct mild to moderate nearsightedness (myopia ).

Description:

General or local anesthesia is used. A series of delicate incisions is made around the cornea like the spokes of a wheel. This flattens the center of the cornea to change the focus of light rays on the retina.

Each eye is done separately, on different days.

Indications:

The guideline for radial keratotomy is the desire to cure nearsightedness so corrective lenses will no longer be necessary.