Eleven-year experience with radial keratotomy.

ABSTRACT

1,900 consecutive eyes that underwent radial keratotomy by the senior author were evaluated retrospectively. 3 months after surgery, minimum reduction in mean spherical equivalent of 0.67D was achieved with 1 incision and maximum 7.25D with 24 incisions. Uncorrected visual acuity of 20/40 or better was obtained in 99.4% of eyes with low myopia, 64.2% with moderate myopia and 32.4% with high myopia. For anisometropia, bilateral RK reduced refractive error from -12. 12D to -5. 22D in more myopic eyes and -8. 18D to -3. 4D in less myopic eyes and unilateral surgeries reduced refractive error from -9. 45D to -3. 85D. Anisometropia after surgery became clinically and physically acceptable and aniseikonia was significantly improved. No vision threatening complications occurred. Our results indicate that radial keratotomy is a relatively safe and effective surgical procedure for myopia.