RADIAL KERATOTOMY

General Information

DEFINITION--A surgical eye operation to treat nearsightedness. Surgery is performed on the cornea which, as it heals, flattens in the center changing the angle of light rays entering the eye.

BODY PARTS INVOLVED--Cornea of the eye (the rounded transparent tissue that covers the colored part [iris] and the pupil).

REASONS FOR SURGERY--Hope of curing nearsightedness so corrective lenses will no longer be necessary.

SURGICAL RISK INCREASES WITH

• Adults over 60.
• Smoking.
• Chronic illness of any sort.

What To Expect

WHO OPERATES--Ophthalmologist.

WHERE PERFORMED--Outpatient surgical facility.

DIAGNOSTIC TESTS

• Before surgery: Vision tests.
• After surgery: Vision tests.

ANESTHESIA

• Local anesthesia with sedation.
• General anesthesia by injection and inhalation with an airway tube placed in the windpipe.

DESCRIPTION OF OPERATION

• Head is positioned flat on operating table.
• A wire speculum is placed to prevent closing the eye during surgery.
• Under appropriate anesthesia, the surgeon makes 4 to 16 incisions radiating outward from the center of the cornea like spokes on a wheel. The incisions are about 90% deep into the cornea.
• One eye is operated on in 1 session, the other at another session.

POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS

• Visual acuity fluctuations.
• Undercorrection; overcorrection.
• Infection.
• Immediate or future impairment of sight.
• Glare at night, light sensitivity.

AVERAGE HOSPITAL STAY--None, outpatient procedure.

PROBABLE OUTCOME--Uncertain. Total healing may require 2 or more years.

Postoperative Care

† Sleep on the non--operated side.

MEDICATION

• Your doctor may prescribe antibiotic eye drops.
• Avoid aspirin.

ACTIVITY

• Resume normal activities only after clearance from your ophthalmologist.
• No swimming until cleared by your doctor.
• Avoid contact sports for at least 6 months.

DIET

• No special diet.
• Vitamin and mineral supplements (sometimes).

Call Your Doctor If

Symptoms of any of the possible complications listed above should appear.