Refractive results of radial keratotomy: a ten-year retrospective study
Authors: Salamon, S.A.1; Hjortdal, J.1; Ehlers, N.1
Source: Acta Ophthalmologica Scandinavica, Volume 78, Number 5, 1 October 2000 , pp. 566-568(3)
Publisher: Blackwell Publishing
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Abstract:
.Purpose: To investigate the long-term effects and stability of refraction after radial keratotomy procedure.Methods: Radial keratotomy was performed on 123 persons to reduce myopia (range: -1 to -13 diopters) in 1986 to 1989. A mean of 11.5 years later (range 10 to 13), 61 of these patients with 102 eyes underwent a standardised refractive examination where subjective spherical equivalent refraction was measured and compared to the preoperative and the one month postoperative refractive measurement collected from the patients records.Results: There was a reduction in spherical equivalent from an average of -5.46 diopters (SD 2.38) preoperatively to -2.32 diopters (SD 1.96) 11.5 years postoperatively. The mean change in direction of myopia between 1 month and 11.5 years postoperatively was 0.17 diopters (SD 1.18). This change was not statistically significant. From 1 month to 11.5 years, 10 of the eyes had developed more than 1 diopter hyperopia, and 20 % more than 1 diopter myopia. When asked directly, all patients were satisfied with the result of their operation in general; 2 patients still complained of glare.Conclusion: No significant changes in refraction were found between 1 month and 11.5 years after radial keratotomy. Previously reported long-term studies on this field have found a trend toward progressive hyperopia. No evidence of such change can be supported by this study.Keywords: Myopia; radial keratotomy; hyperopia; stability of refraction
Document Type: Original article
Affiliations: 1: Department of Ophthalmology, Århus University Hospital, Denmark
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