Radial keratotomy for myopia from 5.00 to 13.00 diopters two years after surgery.
BACKGROUND
Radial keratotomy for low myopia can produce good results with few side effects. For higher myopia, predictability becomes less accurate and side effects more common.


METHODS
A retrospective study of 111 eyes of 76 patients were divided into two groups. Group I had 79 eyes with myopia of -5.00 to -8.00 diopters (D); group II had 32 eyes with myopia -8.25 D to -13.00 D. One hundred eleven eyes were followed for 1 year and 90 eyes were followed for 2 years.


RESULTS
Sixty-seven (84.8%) eyes in group I and 12 (37.5%) eyes in group II achieved a refraction within the range of -1.00 D and +1.00 D. Ninety-two percent of group I and 44% of group II achieved an uncorrected visual acuity of 20/40 or better. Three percent lost spectacle-corrected visual acuity. Four eyes developed a hyperopic shift of 1.00 D or more between 2 months and 2 years. Seven other eyes developed a hyperopic shift of 1.00 D or more between 2 months and 5 years.


CONCLUSIONS
Eight-incision radial keratotomy is an attractive option for treatment of myopia up to -8.00 D. For levels above -8.00 D, the results are poorer; there may be a variable period before refraction stabilizes.
Percival
S P
SP
Department of Ophthalmology, Scarborough Hospital, England.
Vyas
A V
AV
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006956:Hyperopia / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D007646:Keratotomy, Radial / Q000009:adverse effects; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009216:Myopia / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D012029:Refraction, Ocular; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014792:Visual Acuity