keratectomy /ker′ətek″təmē/ [Gk, keras, horn + ektomē, excision] , an opthalmologic surgical procedure to remove part of the cornea, performed to excise a small, superficial lesion that does not warrant a corneal graft. Local anesthesia is used. The scar is excised, and an antibiotic is injected under the conjunctiva. A topical steroid is given and a light pressure dressing applied. After surgery, the dressings are changed daily. Corneal epithelium grows rapidly, filling a small surgical area in about 60 hours.
