The effect of increased intraocular pressure on visual acuity and corneal curvature after radial keratotomy.
To detect the effect of increased intraocular pressure on visual acuity and corneal curvature after radial keratotomy, we measured these variables in the sitting and inverted positions in 18 patients who underwent radial keratotomy (Group 1) and compared their results with those from the unoperated on eyes of seven patients (Group 2). We also compared the results before and after inversion within each group. Intraocular pressure increased to approximately two times normal in each group. Significant improvement in visual acuity and reduction in central keratometry were noted only in Group 1. By multiple regression analysis, visual improvement correlated with the number of incisions but not the time since surgery. Our study provides evidence that increased intraocular pressure may account for transient changes in vision and corneal curvature after radial keratotomy.
Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla 92093.
S T
ST
Feldman
J
J
Frucht-Pery
R N
RN
Weinreb
A
A
Chayet
A W
AW
Dreher
S I
SI
Brown
D000328:Adult; D003315:Cornea / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure; D007646:Keratotomy, Radial; D008875:Middle Aged; D011187:Posture; D012029:Refraction, Ocular; D014065:Tonometry, Ocular; D014792:Visual Acuity