RESULTS OF RADIAL AND ASTIGMATIC KERATOTOMY BY BEGINNING REFRACTIVE SURGEONS

Background: There is little information available on the results of ra dial and astigmatic keratotomy surgery that is performed by beginning refractive surgeons. Methods: A retrospective review of all refractive keratotomies performed by Corneal Fellows in the University of Califo rnia, Los Angeles, Department of Ophthalmology between October 1985 an d October 1991 was performed. Data from all eyes with at least 3 month s of follow-up were analyzed. Visual acuity, refractive error, and com plication rates were compared with published case series. Results: The mean preoperative spherical equivalent for the 79 eyes analyzed was - 3.97 diopters (D) (range, -0.75 to -8.50 D). The mean postoperative sp herical equivalent was -0.44 D (range, +1.50 to -3.88 D). The postoper ative spherical equivalent was within 1.00 D of emmetropia in 85% of e yes, and uncorrected visual acuity was 20/40 or better in 94% of eyes. There were no vision-threatening complications. No patient lost more than one line of best-corrected visual acuity. Conclusion: Radial and astigmatic keratotomies that are performed by beginning refractive sur geons in a supervised setting can be safe and effective procedures wit h results comparable with those obtained by experienced refractive sur geons.