title: Laser in-situ keratomileusis for refractive error following radial keratotomy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the safety and efficacy of laser in-situ keratomileusis (LASIK) in eyes with residual/induced refractive error following radial keratotomy (RK).
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective study.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective analysis of data of 18 eyes of 10 patients, who had undergone LASIK for refractive error following RK, was performed. All the patients had undergone RK in both eyes at least one year before LASIK. Parameters like uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), contrast sensitivity, glare acuity and corneal parameters were evaluated both preoperatively and postoperatively. STATISTICAL SOFTWARE: STATA-9.0.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean UCVA before LASIK was 0.16±0.16 which improved to 0.64 ± 0.22 ( P < 0.001) after one year following LASIK. Fourteen eyes (out of 18) had UCVA of ≥ 20/30 on Snellen's acuity chart at one year following LASIK. The mean BCVA before LASIK was 0.75 ± 0.18. This improved to 0.87 ± 0.16 at one year following LASIK. The mean spherical refractive error at the time of LASIK and at one year after the procedure was -5.37 ± 4.83 diopters (D) and -0.22 ± 1.45D, respectively. Only three eyes had a residual spherical refractive error of ≥ 1.0D at one year follow-up. In two eyes, we noted opening up of the RK incisions. No eye developed epithelial in-growth till 1 year after LASIK.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  LASIK is effective in treating refractive error following RK. However, it carries the risk of flap-related complications like opening up of the previously placed RK incisions and splitting of the corneal flap.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Rajendra Prasad Center for Ophthalmic Sciences, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India. sinharaj1@rediffmail.com
authors.forename: Rajesh
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sinha
authors.forename: Namrata
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.forename: Rakesh
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ahuja
authors.forename: Chandrashekhar
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.forename: Rasik B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Vajpayee
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005139:Eyeglasses; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020731:Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D007646:Keratotomy, Radial / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D012030:Refractive Errors / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000009:adverse effects; D013529:Surgical Wound Dehiscence / Q000209:etiology; D014792:Visual Acuity; D055815:Young Adult