Evaluation of bidirectional radial and astigmatic keratotomy.
OBJECTIVE
To analyze the outcome of incisional radial and astigmatic keratotomy using a bidirectional keratome.


METHODS
We used a bidirectional cutting diamond keratome on 100 consecutive eyes (mean patient age 38 years, range 18 to 67 years) whose mean preoperative cycloplegic refraction was -4.64 (range of sphere -1.50 to -15.25) and +1.25 of cylinder (range of cylinder +0.50 to +5.00).


RESULTS
Mean postoperative cycloplegic refraction was -0.31 (range +0.50 to -1.25) and +0.25 cylinder (range 0 to +1.00). At the end of 1 year, 97% of eyes had an uncorrected visual acuity of 20/40 or better. The rate of enhancement of the original keratotomy was 10%; all of these eyes had more than -6.25 diopters (D) of sphere or +2.00 D of cylinder preoperatively. Side effects were minimal, and no sight-threatening complications occurred.


CONCLUSIONS
In this study, bidirectional incisional radial and astigmatic keratotomy was an accurate and predictable technique for myopia and astigmatism; all patients were satisfied with the procedure.
Kershner
R M
RM
Orange Grove Center for Corrective Eye Surgery, Tucson, Arizona 85704-1143 USA.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001251:Astigmatism / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D003315:Cornea / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007646:Keratotomy, Radial / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009216:Myopia / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012029:Refraction, Ocular; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity