RADIAL KERATOTOMY Refractive Surgery

Radial keratotomy (RK) is a type of refractive surgery that was once commonly used to correct vision problems such as nearsightedness (myopia) and astigmatism. The procedure involves making a series of precise, radial cuts in the cornea, the clear, dome-shaped surface of the eye, in order to reshape it and improve vision.

History of RK

Radial keratotomy was first developed in the 1970s by a Russian ophthalmologist named Svyatoslav Fyodorov. The procedure quickly gained popularity in the United States and other countries, with hundreds of thousands of people undergoing RK in the 1980s and 1990s.

However, the popularity of RK began to wane in the late 1990s and early 2000s due to the development of newer, safer, and more predictable refractive surgery procedures, such as laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) and photorefractive keratectomy (PRK). RK is now rarely performed and is considered an outdated procedure.

How RK is Performed

RK is typically performed on an outpatient basis, with the patient receiving local anesthesia to numb the eye. The procedure typically takes about 20-30 minutes to complete.

During the procedure, the surgeon will use a surgical instrument called a keratome to make a series of precise, radial cuts in the cornea. The number and depth of the cuts will depend on the patient's eyeglass prescription and the degree of refractive error.

After the cuts are made, the surgeon will apply a bandage contact lens to the eye to protect it and help with healing. The bandage lens will be removed a few days after the procedure.

Risks and Complications of RK

RK carries a number of potential risks and complications, including:

  • Infection
  • Overcorrection or undercorrection of the refractive error
  • Irregular astigmatism
  • Dry eye
  • Decreased night vision
  • Loss of visual acuity

In addition, RK is not a reversible procedure. If the patient experiences problems or is unhappy with the results, additional surgery may be required to correct the issue.

Alternative Refractive Surgery Procedures

As mentioned previously, RK has largely been replaced by newer, safer, and more predictable refractive surgery procedures such as LASIK and PRK. These procedures involve the use of a laser to reshape the cornea rather than making incisions with a surgical instrument.

LASIK is the most commonly performed refractive surgery procedure and has a high success rate and a low risk of complications. It involves the creation of a thin flap on the surface of the cornea, which is lifted to reveal the underlying corneal tissue. The laser is then used to reshape the tissue and correct the refractive error. The flap is then repositioned and allowed to heal naturally.

PRK is similar to LASIK, but it does not involve the creation of a corneal flap. Instead, the outer layer of the cornea (the epithelium) is removed and the underlying corneal tissue is reshaped using the laser. The epithelium will then regenerate naturally over the next few days. PRK may be recommended for patients with thin corneas or other conditions that may make them poor candidates for LASIK.

Conclusion

Radial keratotomy (RK) is an outdated refractive surgery procedure that is no longer commonly performed. It involves the creation of radial cuts in the cornea

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