What is the name of the surgical procedure where thermal laser burns are placed in the mid-periphery of the cornea to steepen its curvature?

The correct answer is Conductive keratoplasty, which is a surgical procedure that uses radiofrequency energy to create thermal burns in the mid-periphery of the cornea. This technique causes localized contraction of collagen fibers, leading to steepening of the central corneal curvature. Conductive keratoplasty is primarily used to treat hyperopia (farsightedness) and presbyopia by altering the shape of the cornea.

In contrast, other procedures mentioned, such as photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) and laser-assisted in-situ keratomileusis (LASIK), involve reshaping the cornea's surface through excimer laser ablation but do not utilize thermal burns to change curvature. Radial keratotomy involves making incisions in the cornea to flatten it for myopia correction, which further differentiates it from the method used in conductive keratoplasty. Thus, conductive keratoplasty stands out for its unique technique that specifically addresses peripheral corneal modification to achieve increased steepness in curvature.