EPIKERATOPHAKIA Meaning and
Definition
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Epikeratophakia is a medical procedure used to correct refractive errors of the eye by reshaping the cornea. The term is derived from the combination of three Greek words: "epi" meaning "on" or "upon," "kera" meaning "cornea," and "phakos," meaning "lens." Together, they describe the process by which a new corneal layer is added on top of the existing one to alter its shape and address vision problems.
During epikeratophakia, a donor cornea with the desired refractive power is obtained and processed. The central portion of this cornea, referred to as the lenticule, is carefully dissected and shaped precisely according to the refractive error of the patient's eye. The patient's corneal epithelium, or outermost layer, is then removed, and the lenticule is gently placed onto the underlying stroma and secured using sutures or tissue adhesive. Over time, the patient's own cornea envelops the transplanted lenticule, integrating it into the eye.
Epikeratophakia can be used to correct myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism. It offers several advantages over conventional refractive surgeries, such as compatibility with thinner corneas and lower incidence of corneal haze. However, potential risks and complications associated with the procedure include infection, graft displacement, irregular astigmatism, and prolonged healing.
Overall, epikeratophakia is a surgical option for individuals seeking vision correction, providing an alternative to other forms of vision correction such as glasses, contact lenses, or laser refractive surgeries like LASIK.
Common Misspellings for EPIKERATOPHAKIA
- wpikeratophakia
- spikeratophakia
- dpikeratophakia
- rpikeratophakia
- 4pikeratophakia
- 3pikeratophakia
- eoikeratophakia
- elikeratophakia
- e-ikeratophakia
- e0ikeratophakia
- epukeratophakia
- epjkeratophakia
- epkkeratophakia
- epokeratophakia
- ep9keratophakia
- ep8keratophakia
- epijeratophakia
- epimeratophakia
- epileratophakia
- epioeratophakia
Etymology of EPIKERATOPHAKIA
The word "epikeratophakia" is derived from Greek. Here is a breakdown of its etymology:
1. Epi-: A Greek prefix meaning "upon" or "above".
2. Kerato-: A Greek combining form referring to the cornea, the transparent front part of the eye.
3. -phakia: A Greek suffix derived from "phakos", meaning "lens". It is commonly associated with eye surgery procedures that involve removing or replacing the crystalline lens.
So, when combined, "epikeratophakia" describes a surgical procedure in which a lens is placed on the cornea, specifically to correct the vision.
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