Home > Encyclopedia of Medicine > Radial Keratotomy

Definition

Radial keratotomy (RK) is a type of eye surgery used to correct myopia (nearsightedness). It works by changing the shape of the cornea—the transparent part of the eye that covers the iris and the pupil.

Purpose

About 25–30% of all people in the world are nearsighted and need eyeglasses or contact lenses for distance vision to be clear. For a number of reasons, some people don't like wearing corrective lenses. Some feel unattractive in eyeglasses. Others worry about not being able to see without their glasses in an emergency, such as a house fire or a burglary. Both glasses and contact lenses can be scratched, broken, or lost. In addition, contact lenses require special care and can irritate the eyes.

Radial keratotomy was introduced in North America in 1978. Since then doctors have improved the technique, and its results have...