Radial Keratotomy (RK) Surgery

The RK procedure is performed on an outpatient basis, lasting up to two hours including preparation time. Initially the surgeon will need to establish how much myopia or astigmatism is present, the degree of corneal curvature, and the thickness of the cornea. Eyes are usually operated on individually and a mild sedative may be given prior to surgery. A lid speculum is placed over the eye. The front surface of the eye is numbed with anaesthetic drops so that no pain is experienced. The surgeon will make microscopic radial slits into the cornea, without touching the inner eye. The length, depth, and arrangement of these micro-incisions will determine the success of the surgery. Instead of a laser, a knife blade is used to make the incisions. These micro-incisions allow the central cornea to flatten, thus partially or completely correcting the myopia by allowing light to focus on the retinal screen, which enables clear vision.

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