A prospective clinical study of radial keratotomy in Koreans.

Kim,  Jae Ho

doi:1988.2.1.13

Korean J Ophthalmol > Volume 2(1); 1988 > Article

Original Article

Korean Journal of Ophthalmology 1988;2(1):13-21.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3341/kjo.1988.2.1.13 Published online June 30, 1988.

A prospective clinical study of radial keratotomy in Koreans.

Jae Ho Kim

Department of Ophthalmology, Kangnam St. Mary's Hospital, Catholic University Medical College, Seoul, Korea.

Abstract

Three hundred and forty-eight eyes (246 patients, both eye radial keratototmy in 102 patients) which could be followed-up for at least one year or more were included in this study. Postoperative uncorrected visul acuity which was 20/40 or more could be obtained in 79% of the lower myopic eyes (-1.75--2.75 D), in 73% of the moderate myopic eyes (-3.00--5.75 D) and in 34% of high myopic eyes (-6.00 D-). The postoperative refractive correction (spherical equivalent) ranged from plano to -9.0 D with a mean decrease of -3.86 D with a mean reduction of keratometry in moderate myopia of 3.33 D with a range from 0.5 D to 6.75 D. But its mean reduction in high myopia did not parallel its myopic degree. Glare and fluctuation of vision were the most frequent complaints following surgery. Some patients had continuous constant vision improvement for a long period while some patients (or other eyes) had episodes of decreased vision because of the recurrence of myopia or hyperopia shift. The mean central corneal endothelial cell loss determined 6-l2 months later was 5.31-5.61%. Microperforation in 11 eyes (3%) occurred during the early part of the study and improved naturally without any problem. An over-correction of more than +1.0 D (2%) and an under-correction of more than -1.0 D (1%) with having induced or residual astigmatism (17%) were observed. Radial keratotomy is suceessful in carefully selected patients with mild and moderate myopia, and also in anisometropic high myopia.

Key Words: Radial keratotomy;visual acuity;refractive error;keratometry;endothelial cell loss