Removal of the outer layer of the cornea?

Removal of the outer layer of the cornea?

• A. Photorefractive Keratotomy
• B. Radial Keratotomy
• C. Keratectomy
• D. Corneal Transplantation

Answer: (A)

Removing the outermost layer of the cornea is what happens in surface ablation refractive surgery. In photorefractive keratectomy, the corneal epithelium—the thin outer layer—is removed from the central cornea to expose the underlying stroma. This allows the laser to reshape the anterior corneal surface precisely, correcting refractive errors. The epithelium then regenerates to restore the surface over the following days. Radial keratotomy uses incisions to flatten the cornea rather than remove the surface layer; keratectomy is a general term for removing corneal tissue and isn’t specifically about the outer epithelium in a refractive context; corneal transplantation replaces the cornea itself.

Removing the outermost layer of the cornea is what happens in surface ablation refractive surgery. In photorefractive keratectomy, the corneal epithelium—the thin outer layer—is removed from the central cornea to expose the underlying stroma. This allows the laser to reshape the anterior corneal surface precisely, correcting refractive errors. The epithelium then regenerates to restore the surface over the following days. Radial keratotomy uses incisions to flatten the cornea rather than remove the surface layer; keratectomy is a general term for removing corneal tissue and isn’t specifically about the outer epithelium in a refractive context; corneal transplantation replaces the cornea itself.