Rupture of a radial keratotomy incision after 11 years during clear corneal phacoemulsification

We report a case of rupture of a radial keratotomy (RK) incision that occur red during clear corneal phacoemulsification 11 years after the initial sur gery. The RK was done in both eyes for correction of high myopia (>8.0 diop ters). This was followed by 2 enhancement procedures at 6 month intervals. The patient presented with diminished vision in both eyes, The diagnosis wa s nuclear cataract in the right eye, and clear corneal phacoemulsification was done. The intraoperative and postoperative courses were uneventful. Nin e months later, clear corneal temporal phacoemulsification was done in the left eye. During surgery, 1 of the radial incisions opened to one third its length. The wound was sutured, and the procedure was completed uneventfull y. One month later, best corrected visual acuity was 20/20. (C) 2001 ASCRS and ESCRS.