Corneal Aberrations and Visual Performance After Radial Keratotomy

Abstract

Radial keratotomy, like photorefractive keratectomy, shifts the distribution of aberrations from third order dominance (coma-like aberrations) to fourth order dominance (spherical-like aberrations). Radial keratotomy-induced aberrations and loss in contrast sensitivity are reduced with increasing clear zone diameter. Radial keratotomy induces an increase in the optical aberrations of the eye and the increase for large pupils (7 mm) but not small (3 mm) is correlated to a decrease in contrast sensitivity.