RADIAL KERATOTOMY FOR THE TREATMENT OF EX CIMER-LASER UNDERCORRECTIONS

Background Effectiveness of radial keratotomy for undercorrections fol lowing photorefractive keratectomy. Methods Twenty myopic eyes from mi nus 4.75 to minus 8.25 were treated by Excimer laser photorefractive k eratectomy and regressed to a mean myopic refraction of minus 2.20 +/- 0.81 after a follow-up of 10 to 22 months (mean : 16.25). Radial kera totomy was performed using Hoffmann Fyodorov Thornton nomogram. Blade depth tvas set according to pachymetry performed before surgery under microscopic examination, paracentrally on the meridian of each incisio n. Results Postoperative results were evaluated after 6 to 20 months f ollow-up. After radial keratotomy mean refractive error was minus 0.30 +/- 0.43 and minus 0.32 +/- 0.25 at 3-6 and 6-12 months respectively. Visual acuity, without correction, was prior to radial keratotomy: 2. 18 +/- 0.99; 8.125 +/- 0.6 at 3-6 months and 8.43 +/- 1.57 at 6-12 mon ths after radial keratotomy. Conclusion Radial keratotomy appears to b e a safe, simple and predictible technique to treat undercorrections f ollowing Excimer laser photokeratectomy.