Subregions of differing refractive power within the clear zone after experimental radial keratotomy

After radial keratotomy (RK), some patients experience a mild decrease in best corrected visual acuity, visual distortion, or monocular diplopia. These optical effects of radial keratotomy are best explained by subregions of different refractive powers within the surgery-free clear zone. To investigate the topography of the clear zone, we performed four- and eight-incision radial keratotomy in eight cadaver eyes. After radial keratotomy, we found subregions within the clear zone of two types: 1) small, very flat regions at the ends of the radial incisions (seven of eight eyes), and 2) a series of concentric rings centered on the visual axis with a continuously progressive decline in refractive power toward the periphery of the clear zone (all eyes). The clear zone after radial keratotomy is often nipple-shaped, with a more myopic segment centrally and a more hyperopic region near the periphery of the clear zone.