title: A basic understanding of radial keratotomy.
abstract: Radial keratotomy surgery was first performed in the United States in 1978. Although all the questions regarding surgical flattening of the cornea have not been answered, a great deal of what happens is understood. Currently, eight factors are noted either pre- or intraoperatively which appear to have a correlation with the outcome of the surgery. These factors along with a discussion of available surgical procedures and the most common intra- and postoperative complications, both normal and abnormal, are discussed.
mesh_terms: D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D003315:Cornea / Q000601:surgery*; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007431:Intraoperative Complications; D008027:Light / Q000009:adverse effects; D009216:Myopia / Q000601:surgery; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012542:Scattering, Radiation; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000209:etiology