Visual acuity, refractive and keratometric results of 140 consecutive radial keratotomy procedures

We reviewed the results of the first 140 consecutive radial keratotomy procedures (83 patients) performed by one surgeon from March 1986 to April 1992. The mean follow-up time per eye was 9.9 (standard deviation [SD] 9.1) months. The mean preoperative spherical equivalent refraction of -3.74 (SD 1.70) dioptres decreased by a mean of 2.75 D (SD 1.11 D) to a postoperative mean refraction of -0.99 D (SD 1.50 D). The postoperative uncorrected visual acuity was 20/40 or better in 120 eyes (86%). All eyes had a postoperative best corrected visual acuity of 20/40 or better. Correction to within +/- 1 D of emmetropia occurred in 98 eyes (70%), and no overcorrection of more than 1 D occurred. The mean amount of corneal flattening, as determined with keratometry, was 2.68 D (SD 1.23 D). Of the 42 eyes with high myopia (-4.50 to -9.12 D) preoperatively 57% had uncorrected vision of 20/40 or better postoperatively, and 31% had correction to within +/- 1 D of emmetropia. The corresponding figures for the 39 eyes with moderate myopia (-3.25 to -4.37 D) were 100% and 82%, and for the 59 eyes with low myopia (-1.00 to -3.12 D) 98% and 90%. There were no vision-threatening complications. The only significant loss of best corrected visual acuity occurred in one eye (1%) that lost two Snellen lines.