Refractive results of radial keratotomy: a ten-year retrospective study

Purpose: To investigate the long-term effects and stability of refraction a fter radial keratotomy procedure. Methods: Radial keratotomy was performed on 123 persons to reduce myopia (r ange: -1 to -13 diopters) in 1986 to 1989. A mean of 11.5 years later (rang e 10 to 13), 61 of these patients with 102 eyes underwent a standardised re fractive examination where subjective spherical equivalent refraction was m easured and compared to the preoperative and the one month postoperative re fractive measurement collected from the patients records. Results: There was a reduction in spherical equivalent from an average of - 5.46 diopters (SD 2.38) preoperatively to -2.32 diopters (SD 1.96) 11.5 yea rs postoperatively. The mean change in direction of myopia between 1 month and 11.5 years postoperatively was 0.17 diopters (SD 1.18). This change was not statistically significant. From 1 month to 11.5 years, 10 of the eyes had developed more than 1 diopter hyperopia, and 20% more than 1 diopter my opia. When asked directly, all patients were satisfied with the result of t heir operation in general; 2 patients still complained of glare. Conclusion: No significant changes in refraction were found between 1 month and 11.5 years after radial keratotomy. Previously reported long-term stud ies on this field have found a trend toward progressive hyperopia, No evide nce of such change can be supported by this study.