Radiaire Keratotomy

The oldest technique. First described by dr Lens, in Utrecht in 1898. Around 1970 rediscovered in Moscow and since then been the most commonly used procedure for a long time in the USA.

Technique:

With a protected knife 4 to 16 incisions are made criss-cross in the cornea. The incisions go from the edge to e few millimetres from the centre of the cornea. At the places of the incisions the cornea becomes unstable. Because of the pressure caused the cornea will curving of the cornea will be more focused along the outside, making the centre of the cornea flatter. This is what one tries to achieve when correcting shortsight.

Advantages:

• Relatively simple, quick technique
• Cheap technique

Disadvantages:

• Painful
• Cornea can be unstable for quite some time causing unstable vision
• Problems with night vision for long periods of time
• Disrupted image: more light points at the end of the incisions
• Not very trustworthy result
• Only ever advised now at eye conditions up to -3,0D

As a solution to the many problems and complications with RK the option of the laser was considered. The results were bad. In many cases the scarring caused by the incisions caused blurry and reduced vision. Since the recent advances we advise against RK.