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Radial Keratotomy

Radial Keratotomy (RK) is an excellent technique to correct low levels of myopia. Visual recovery is usually rapid, with most patients returning to work in 48 hours.

Radial Keratotomy (RK) is most effective at treating low to moderate levels of nearsightedness (myopia). It was first attempted in the 1970s by a Russian physician named Fyodorov. He discovered that placing a number of microscopic, spoke-like incisions in a "radial" pattern around the center of the cornea, caused it to flatten. The incisions are radial in that they radiate out from the center of the cornea like spokes of a wheel. The incisions weaken or relax the corneal tissue so that the pressure in the eye microscopically pushes out the cornea around the incisions, forcing the center of the cornea to flatten. This flattened shape allows light to focus more directly on the retina, thereby reducing or eliminating nearsightedness. Nothing is done to the lens of the eye because the corneal incisions are not deep enough to enter the eye. Radial Keratotomy is done in an outpatient surgical suite using "eye-drop" anesthesia only. A clear zone, free of any incisions, is always left in the center of the cornea. This allows light to enter the eye without having to pass through the radial incisions. This clear optical zone varies in size as to the amount of correction that must be achieved. People with high refractive errors require a smaller optical zone.

Nearsightedness is often accompanied by astigmatism. A different surgical technique is used along with RK, or alone, for the correction of astigmatism. This technique is called Astigmatic Keratotomy (AK). It too, involves the placement of relaxing incisions in the cornea, but only in one axis. As with any surgical procedure, side effects and complications may occur.

What is Myopia?

In the normal eye, light bends through the cornea and lens to focus on the retina. With Nearsightedness (nearsightedness - place cursor over image) the eye is longer (or cornea is steeper) causing light to focus in front of the retina. The image is therefore out of focus on the retina and vision is blurred.

Types of Correction (See Diagrams Below)

1. RK incision pattern consisting of four short incisions.

2. RK incision pattern consisting of eight long incisions.

3. Transverse incisions (Astigmatic Keratotomy - AK) can correct astigmatism.

4. RK and AK may be combined to correct myopia and astigmatism together.

The Procedure (See Diagrams Below)

1. The cornea before treatment. Note steep corneal curvature.

2. Incisions are made in the cornea causing it to "flatten."

3. Additional radial incisions are made in the cornea.

4. Final result - central cornea remains free of incisions.


Radial Keratotomy Animation

The Result

Before Radial Keratotomy, light is out of focus on the retina. After RK (place cursor over image), the "flatter" cornea (arrow) causes light to bend in such a way as to become focused on the retina. Vision is clear.

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