Changes in anterior chamber depth and axial length measurements after radial keratotomy

Purpose To evaluate the changes that occur in anterior chamber depth and gl obe axial length after radial keratotomy (RK) surgery in cases with differe nt degrees of myopia. Methods One hundred and twelve eyes that underwent RK were studied. The eye s were divided into two groups: 70 eyes with a correction of myopia of 4.00 D and under after RK (group 1) and 42 eyes with a correction of myopia of more than 4.00 D (group 2). Routine examinations were done in all cases. Ul trasonic biometry and central anterior chamber depth and axial length were measured pre-operatively and on the third day, second week, third month and sixth month post-operatively. Results Pre-operatively the average globe axial length was longer in group 2 than group 1. When all post-operative measurements were compared with pre -operative measurements in group 1, there was a decrease in anterior chambe r depth and globe axial length, but no significant difference was found exc ept on the third day (t = 3.15, p = 0.003). In group 2 there was an insigni ficant decrease in axial length but the decrease in anterior chamber depth was significant at all measurement times except for the sixth month. Conclusions Refractive changes related to biometric changes after RK are no t important compared with the total refractive corrections of RK. These cha nges should be considered, however, when planning RK procedures.