Radial Keratotomy (RK)
BACKGROUND
Vision correction surgery has its origins in the incisional techniques of radial keratotomy (RK) and astigmatic keratotomy (AK). While these techniques were effective, they have largely been substituted by the increased accuracy and precision afforded by the excimer laser in ablating corneal tissue. As a result, the majority of refractive procedures performed today are with the excimer laser. In the treatment of myopia and astigmatism, this laser alters the shape of the cornea by removing a thin layer of circular (myopia) or football shaped (astigmatism) corneal tissue in the area of the pupil. In the treatment of hyperopia, a thin ring-like layer of corneal tissue surrounding the pupil is removed.
Radial Keratotomy (RK)
This is the original refractive procedure, in which four to eight spoke-like incisions are made in the peripheral cornea with a precision diamond knife, which indirectly causes flattening of the central cornea, thereby reduces ones myopia. The corneal incisions result in a permanent structural weakening of the cornea, and approximately 40% of patients may become progressively hyperopic. Today, it is primarily employed for lower degrees of myopia, such as -2.5 diopters or less.
