keratomileusis

[ ker-uh-toh-mi-loo-sis ]

noun

, Ophthalmology.

1. a surgical procedure in which the cornea is reshaped to improve its refractivity.

Word History and Origins

Origin of keratomileusis¹

First recorded in 1965–70; kerato- ( def ) + Greek smī́leusis “carving” (with irregular loss of initial s- ), from smī́lē “knife, scalpel”

Example Sentences

Due to their blurred vision, the comedians professed that they were having difficulty reading the names of the category’s nominees off of the teleprompter, a common short-term side effect of laser-assisted in-situ keratomileusis, which can take anywhere from 24 hours to several weeks to properly heal, according to ophthalmologists and eye care specialists.

From Slate

Lasik — short for laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis — eliminates the need for glasses by reshaping the cornea, the clear round dome that covers the front of the eye.

From New York Times