title: Refractive evaluation of astigmatic keratotomy procedures.
abstract: We evaluated the efficacy of three transverse incision astigmatic keratotomy procedures using a vector analysis that enabled us to determine the magnitude of the effect and the axis in which it occurred. These procedures were used for low levels of astigmatism (0.5 diopter [D] to 3.75 D): (1) staggered, radial-touching transverse (T) incisions, (2) non-radial-touching T incisions, and (3) T incisions with interrupted radial. Most procedures were performed in conjunction with radial keratotomy for spherical correction of myopia. The non-radial-touching T procedure was the least effective method of reducing astigmatism. The staggered, radial-touching T and T with interrupted radial procedures were equally effective in reducing over 93% (on the average) of the preoperative astigmatism. Of these two procedures, the T with interrupted radial procedure was the most accurate, with the effect of the surgery deviating less than ten degrees from the desired axis in over 70% of the eyes.
authors.affiliation: Neumann Eye Institute, DeLand, Florida 32720.
authors.forename: A C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Neumann
authors.forename: G R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: McCarty
authors.forename: D R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Sanders
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Raanan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001251:Astigmatism / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007646:Keratotomy, Radial / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012029:Refraction, Ocular; D014945:Wound Healing