Radial keratotomy for astigmatism

Most ophthalmologists view radial keratotomy as a new and somewhat controversial method to decrease myopia by flattening the corneal curvature. Although the ophthalmologist does not initially perceive radial keratotomy as a means for correcting astigmatism, it follows that if he or she selectively flattens the cornea more in some meridians, the ophthalmologist is effectively correcting astigmatism. Although the predictability is slightly less in correcting astigmatism than that for correction of myopia, it is still rather good as the data herein presented will show. this communication will present the author's techniques as applied over the past three and one-half years in more than 2,500 radial keratotomy eyes, although only 186 patients are reported here so as to have a followup of at least two years on all patients.