|
|
Radial keratotomy (RK)
Radial keratotomy reduces myopia (nearsightedness) by changing the curvature of the cornea over the pupil. Using a microscope and microscopic instruments, the surgeon makes several deep incisions (keratomies) in the cornea in a radial or spoke-like pattern.
Today, appoximately 85% of the people selected for RK can, following surgery, pass a standard driver's license exam that requires 20/40 vision without glasses or contacts.
Should you consider refractive surgery?
You might want to consider it if you:
- Wish to decrease your dependence on glasses or contact lenses;
- Are free of eye disease;
- Can accept the inherent risks and side effects of the procedure;
- Have the appropriate refractive error.
What are refractive errors?
Light is focused, or refracted, by the cornea, the clear front window of the eye. Your vision is clear if the cornea and lens focus the image precisely on the retina, a layer of light-sensitive cells that lines the back of the eye.
When images are not focused onto the retina, you have what is called a refractive error.
If images are focused in front of the retina, distant objects appear blurry. This is called myopia, or nearsightedness. If images are focused beyond the retina, nearby objects appear blurry. This condition is called hyperopia, or farsightedness. If your cornea has unequal curves, images are distorted because light focuses on more than one point on the retina. This is known as astigmatism.
|
|
|
