Refractive results of radial keratotomy: a ten-year retrospective study.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the long-term effects and stability of refraction after radial keratotomy procedure.


METHODS
Radial keratotomy was performed on 123 persons to reduce myopia (range: -1 to -13 diopters) in 1986 to 1989. A mean of 11.5 years later (range 10 to 13), 61 of these patients with 102 eyes underwent a standardised refractive examination where subjective spherical equivalent refraction was measured and compared to the preoperative and the one month postoperative refractive measurement collected from the patients records.


RESULTS
There was a reduction in spherical equivalent from an average of -5.46 diopters (SD 2.38) preoperatively to -2.32 diopters (SD 1.96) 11.5 years postoperatively. The mean change in direction of myopia between 1 month and 11.5 years postoperatively was 0.17 diopters (SD 1.18). This change was not statistically significant. From 1 month to 11.5 years, 10 of the eyes had developed more than 1 diopter hyperopia, and 20% more than 1 diopter myopia. When asked directly, all patients were satisfied with the result of their operation in general; 2 patients still complained of glare.


CONCLUSIONS
No significant changes in refraction were found between 1 month and 11.5 years after radial keratotomy. Previously reported long-term studies on this field have found a trend toward progressive hyperopia. No evidence of such change can be supported by this study.
Salamon
S A
SA
Department of Ophthalmology, Arhus University Hospital, Denmark.
Hjortdal
J O
JO
Ehlers
N
N
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D003315:Cornea / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007646:Keratotomy, Radial; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009216:Myopia / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D012029:Refraction, Ocular / Q000502:physiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity