Changes in anterior chamber depth and axial length measurements after radial keratotomy.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To evaluate the changes that occur in anterior chamber depth and globe axial length after radial keratotomy (RK) surgery in cases with different degrees of myopia. METHODS: One hundred and twelve eyes that underwent RK were studied. The eyes were divided into two groups 70 eyes with a correction of myopia of 4.00 D and under after RK (group 1) and 42 eyes with a correction of myopia of more than 4.00 D (group 2). Routine examinations were done in all cases. Ultrasonic biometry and central anterior chamber depth and axial length were measured pre-operatively and on the third day, second week, third month and sixth month post-operatively. RESULTS: Pre-operatively the average globe axial length was longer in group 2 than group 1. When all post-operative measurements were compared with pre-operative measurements in group 1, there was a decrease in anterior chamber depth and globe axial length, but no significant difference was found except on the third day (t = 3.15, p = 0.003). In group 2 there was an insignificant decrease in axial length but the decrease in anterior chamber depth was significant at all measurement times except for the sixth month. CONCLUSIONS: Refractive changes related to biometric changes after RK are not important compared with the total refractive corrections of RK. These changes should be considered, however, when planning RK procedures.