Two-year results of radial keratotomy

H. Sawelson and R. G. Marks

This article presents the one- and two-year results of radial keratotomy on the first 386 surgeries performed by one of us (H.S.). Follow-up visits were obtained on 285 (74%) of these eyes. The mean spherical equivalent before surgery was -4.3 diopters, average keratometry was 44.11 D, and 75% of eyes had uncorrected distance acuity of 20/400 or more. Average change in spherical equivalent was 3.5 D at two years. Uncorrected visual acuity was at least 20/40 in 70% of eyes examined at two years, and at least 20/20 in 26%. Refractive, keratometric, and visual results all were stable at 12 months and showed no significant change from one to two years after surgery. Of the patients in this study, 11.9% required second procedures and 8% of surgeries had perforations, but none with negative sequelae. The results of our analysis indicate that radial keratotomy surgery is safe, effective, and with stable results two years after surgery.