[Change of self-concept in patients after radial keratotomy]

The study is focused on the problem of self-concept change following radial keratotomy.

25 patients (17 F, 8 M) were investigated 0.5-1.5 year after the surgery by means of the Adjective Check List by Gough and Heilbrun with double instruction concerning actual self-concept (after the surgery) and retrospective self-concept (before the surgery).

In the actual self-concept the patients obtained significantly higher results in the following measures: 1) number of positive words used for self description (Fav, p < 0.05; Iss, p < 0.05); 2) some need scales like affiliation (Aff, p < 0.005), heterosexuality (Het, p < 0.01), and interception (Int, p < 0.05); 3) self-confidence (S-cfd, p < 0.01), military leadership (Mls, p < 0.05), and Adult (A, p < 0.05); 3) two Welsh's scales (A-3, p < 0.05; A-4, p < 0.05).

Patients after radial keratotomy perceive themselves in a more positive way, as more self confident in interpersonal functioning than before. The result suggests that the main reason of the differences resolve in higher well being stemming from the surgical correction of vision.