Radial keratotomy is a surgical procedure aimed at correcting vision by altering the shape of the cornea, the clear front part of the eye. This technique involves making a series of radial incisions, or cuts, from the edge of the cornea toward the center, which helps to flatten the cornea and reduce refractive errors such as myopia (nearsightedness). The procedure was developed to improve visual acuity by reshaping the cornea, allowing light to be properly focused on the retina. Radial keratotomy was one of the earliest forms of refractive surgery and was commonly performed before the advent of more advanced techniques like LASIK. The primary cause for undergoing radial keratotomy is to correct vision problems caused by an irregularly shaped cornea. This procedure was particularly popular among individuals with moderate to high levels of nearsightedness who were seeking a way to reduce their dependency on corrective lenses. While radial keratotomy can effectively improve vision, it is associated with several potential complications. These include fluctuations in vision, glare, halos around lights, and decreased night vision. Some patients may also experience overcorrection or undercorrection of their refractive error, requiring additional procedures. The long-term stability of vision correction can be variable, and there may be a risk of corneal scarring or weakening, which could affect the eye's overall health and visual function. Despite these risks, radial keratotomy has been largely replaced by newer refractive surgery techniques that offer improved outcomes and fewer complications.
