Three year results of radial keratotomy surgery at the National University Hospital, Singapore.

Abstract

This paper presents the three year results of radial keratotomy (RK) surgery on 51 of the first 59 consecutive eyes at the National University Hospital in Singapore. Before surgery, uncorrected visual acuity was worse than 6/24 in all eyes with 33.3% worse than 6/60. The average pre-operative spherical equivalent (SE) was -4.56 Dioptres(D). Three years after surgery the mean SE was -0.66D, a change of 3.9D; and 72.5% of eyes were within 1D of emmetropia. 70.6% had uncorrected visual acuity of at least 6/12 with no eyes having worse than 6/60 visual acuity. Analysis based on levels of pre-operative myopia showed that the best visual and refractive results were obtained in patients with SE of -6D or less. None of the patients were troubled by complications such as glare, fluctuating vision, irritation and discomfort three years after surgery. Our results indicate that RK surgery is safe and effective through the three years and more following surgery.