Visual, Refractive, and Keratometric Results of Radial Keratotomy

Ongoing prospective evaluation of radial keratotomy was conducted on 156 eyes of the first 101 consecutive patients. We did a one-year follow-up and compared previously reported six-month findings. All eyes were examined both six months and one year after surgery. Findings obtained by an independent examiner both before and after surgery correlated highly with findings obtained in the surgeon's office. One year after surgery, mean change in spherical equivalent was +4.7 diopters; overall uncorrected distance acuity was 20/20 in 49% of cases and at least 20/40 in 76% of cases. Fifty-eight percent of eyes were within 1.0 D of emmetropia. Visual results showed slight general improvement between six and 12 months; refractive results were stable, except that excessive overcorrection was found to decrease. In this series, radial keratotomy seemed safe and effective one year after surgery.