Cataract following radial keratotomy

A 31-year-old man with myopia underwent bilateral radial keratotomy. Except for a microperforation of the cornea of the left eye, the operative procedures were uneventful. The postoperative uncorrected visual acuity was excellent in both eyes until a cataract suddenly developed in the left eye 3 1/2 months after the procedure. No preexisting ocular or systemic conditions existed to explain the sudden development of the cataract, and no evidence of iris or anterior capsular damage could be seen on examination. The sudden development of this cataract after radial keratotomy remains unexplained.