Radial Keratotomy (RK) Procedure Risks


Serious complications with RK are rare but may include:

  • Vision correction - You may still need to wear corrective lenses some of the time either for near or distance vision (or both) after surgery.
  • Unpredictability of results - It is difficult to predict the results of the surgery and they may change over time.  Some people experience hyperopic shift as they gradually become more farsighted.
  • Over correction - Surgery can cause mild farsightedness.  
  • Under correction - Surgery may not completely correct nearsightedness.
  • Vision - Loss in best-corrected vision. 
  • Irregular astigmatism - This can cause ghost images or double vision.
  • Glare & Halos - These can be particularly problematic at night and may last longer than 6 months.
  • Puncture of the cornea – The cornea may become punctured.
  • Infection of the cornea - This may occur immediately after the surgery or up to three years later, as the cornea continues to heal.
  • Rupture of the cornea - This can occur at the keratotomy scars after a severe blow to the eye.
  • Glaucoma
  • Further surgery - Because laser eye surgery weakens the cornea, making it more prone to injury, other eye surgery later in life, such as cataract removal, may cause complications and recovery may be more difficult.

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