Chapter 6 Special Sensory Organs: Eye and Ear 265 LASIK LASIK is an acronym for laser- assisted in situ (SĪ-tū) keratomileusis (KĔR-ă-tō-mī-LŪ-sĭs), a type of refrac- tive surgery performed to correct myopia, hyperopia, or astigmatism (Figure 6.11). Other common names for LASIK include laser eye surgery and laser vision correction. The proce- dure changes the shape of the cornea so that light rays entering the eye focus more precisely on the retina rather than at some point before or beyond the retina. LASIK eliminates or reduces the need for eyeglasses or contact lenses. Tonometry Tonometry (tō-NŎM-ĕ-trē) is a test for measuring pressure within the eyes. It is used to screen for glau- coma. There are several tonomet- ric methods of glaucoma testing. In one method, the surface of the eye is numbed with eyedrops to pre- vent discomfort. Then an orange or yellow fluorescein dye is applied to the eye with drops or a special strip of paper. A low-power microscope called a slit lamp is moved toward the Tissue removed Figure 6.10 Blepharoplasty is the surgical repair of drooping eyelids. Figure 6.11 Laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis, more commonly known as LASIK surgery.
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