Laser in situ keratomileusis for undercorrection and overcorrection after radial keratotomy

Purpose: To evaluate laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) in the management of overcorrection and undercorrection after radial keratotomy (RK). Setting: Instituto Oftalmologico de Alicante, Alicante, Spain. Methods: This prospective study comprised 20 eyes of 13 patients. The eyes were divided into 2 groups: 11 eyes that were overcorrected after RK and 9 eyes that were undercorrected after RK. Both groups were treated with LASIK after a mean interval of 22 months +/- 8.4 (SD) (range 12 to 45 months). T he follow-up was 6 months. Results: Six months after LASIK, there was a significant decrease in the sp herical equivalent in both groups. Ninety-one percent of eyes in the overco rrected group and 89% in the undercorrected group were within +/-1.0 diopte r of the intended correction. There was a significant improvement in the un corrected visual acuity in both groups. In the overcorrected group, 91% sho wed no change or improvement in their best corrected visual acuity; in the undercorrected group, 89% showed no change or improvement. Conclusions: Laser in situ keratomileusis was relatively safe in treating b oth overcorrection and undercorrection after RK. With proper intraoperative precautions, LASIK can effectively treat the residual refractive defects a fter RK. J Cataract Refract Surg 2001, 27:267-272 (C) 2001 ASCRS and ESCRS.