before a vowel kerat-, var. of CERATO-, combining form of Gr. κέρας, κερατ- horn, used in various scientific terms relating to horny substances, or to the cornea of the eye: as Keratectomy Surg. [Gr. ἐκτομή cutting out], excision of part of the cornea. Keratoconus Path. [Gr. κῶνος cone] = conical cornea (see CORNEA). Keratocricoid Anat. [CRICOID] a., relating to the cornua of the cricoid cartilage; also as sb., a short slender muscle arising from the cricoid cartilage (Stormonth, Man. Scient. Terms, 1879). Keratoglobus Path. [L. globus], a spherical bulging of the cornea; hydrophthalmia (Syd. Soc. Lex., 1887). Kerato-iritis Path. [IRITIS], combined inflammation of the iris and cornea; interstitial keratitis. Keratolysis Path. [Gr. λύσις loosening], ‘Auspitz’s term for a diminished growth of the horny part of the epidermis’ (Syd. Soc. Lex., 1887). Keratonyxis Surg. [Gr. νύξις pricking], a method of operating for cataract. † Keratophyte Zool. [Gr. φυτόν plant], a coral polyp with a horny axis. Keratoplasty Surg. [Gr. πλάσσειν to form], artificial restoration of the cornea (Syd. Soc. Lex.). Keratoscope [-SCOPE], an instrument for inspecting the cornea; so Keratoscopy, inspection of the cornea (ibid.). Keratotome Surg. [Gr. -τόμος cutting], a knife with triangular blade used for making incisions in the cornea (Mayne, Expos. Lex., 1855). Keratotomy Surg., incision of the cornea.
1871. W. S. Watson, in Lancet, 8 July, 49/2. On a new operation *‘Keratectomy.’
1859. Dixon, Dis. Eye (ed. 2), 85. Conical Cornea … has also received various other names, as Hyperkeratosis,… *Keratoconus, &c.
1879. St. George’s Hosp. Rep., IX. 511. Imperfect optical iridectomy by Mr. Carter’s method … for Keratoconus.
1842. Dunglison, Med. Lex. (ed. 3), *Kerato-iritis, Aquo-Membranitis.
1879. P. Smith, Glaucoma, 23. I believe the disease first becomes a ‘kerato-iritis.’
1898. J. Hutchinson, Arch. Surg., IX. 372. A liability to urticarious irritation in association with *Keratolysis.
1822–34. Good’s Study Med. (ed. 4), III. 172. The anterior operation, invented by Buchorn, or rather by Conradé, has been named *Keratonyxis.
1874. Lawson, Dis. Eye, 127. Operation by Solution—Keratonyxis—consists in breaking-up with a fine needle the central portion of the capsule of the lens.
1774. Goldsm., Nat. Hist., VIII. 197. Coralines,… sponges, astroites, and *keratophytes.
1897. Allbutt’s Syst. Med., II. 79. Boeckmann and Kaurin have found *Keratotomy sometimes of use in saving a cornea from a growth [of leprosy] encroaching from the sclerotic.
