CH. 12: Surgical Terms

Question 1

blepharoplasty

Answer 1

surgical repair of the eyelid

Question 2

cryoretinopexy

Answer 2

surgical fixation of the retina by using extreme cold (carbon dioxide)

Question 3

dacryocystorhinostomy

Answer 3

creation of an artificial opening between the tear (lacrimal) sac and the nose (to restore drainage into the nose when the nasolacrimal duct is obstructed or obliterated)

Question 4

iridectomy

Answer 4

excision (of part) of the iris

Question 5

iridotomy

Answer 5

incision into the iris

Question 6

keratoplasty

Answer 6

surgical repair of the cornea (corneal transplant)

Question 7

sclerotomy

Answer 7

incision into the sclera

Question 8

enucleation

Answer 8

surgical removal of the eyeball (also, excision of a whole organ or mass without cutting into it)

Question 9

LASIK (laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis)

Answer 9

laser procedure that reshapes the corneal tissue beneath the surface of the cornea to correct astigmatism, hyperopia, and myopia. It differs from photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) in that it reshapes corneal tissue beneath the surface rather than on the surface.

Question 10

phacoemulsification (PHACO)

Answer 10

method to remove cataracts in which an ultrasonic needle probe breaks up the lens, which is then aspirated.

Question 11

photorefractive keratectomy (PRK)

Answer 11

procedure for the treatment of astigmatism, hyperopia, and myopia in which a laser is used to reshape (flatten) the corneal surface by removing a portion of the cornea.

Question 12

retinal photocoagulation

Answer 12

intense beam of light from a laser condenses retinal tissue to seal leaking blood vessels, to destroy abnormal tissue or lesions, or to bond the retina to the back of the eye. Used to treat retinal tears, diabetic retinopathy, wet macular degeneration, glaucoma, intraocular tumors.

Question 13

scleral buckling

Answer 13

procedure to repair retinal detachment in which a piece of silicone is applied to the abnormal part of the sclera. This pushes in, or “buckles” the sclera toward the middle of the eye, decreasing the traction on the retina. For larger detachments, an entire band may encircle the eyeball. Cryoretinopexy is often used to repair the hole in the retina prior to the buckling procedure.

Question 14

trabeculectomy

Answer 14

surgical creation of an opening that allows aqueous humor humor to drain out of the eye to underneath the conjunctiva where it is absorbed; used to treat glaucoma by reducing intraocular pressure (laser trabeculoplasty may also be used).

Question 15

vitrectomy

Answer 15

surgical removal of all or part of the vitreous humor (to provide access to interior structures of the eye; used to treat diabetic retinopathy, retinal detachment or a hole in the macula)