keratomileusis

Meanings

1. Improvement of the refractive state of the cornea, performed by cutting a thin hinged flap in the front surface of the eye and lifting it to access the cornea.

Etymology

From Spanish queratomileusis, coined by Spanish physician José Barraquer in 1963 from Ancient Greek κέρας (kéras, “horn”), equivalent to kerato-, + σμίλευσις (smíleusis, “carving”).