Radial Keratotomy is a surgical procedure designed to correct low to moderate amounts of myopia or nearsightedness. By
modification in technique, farsightedness and varying degrees of astigmatism, which is an irregular curve to the eye, can
also be corrected. By making incisions from the central optic zone out to the periphery of the cornea, the length of the eye
is altered and the focusing power is altered. This procedure was developed in Russia and further refined in the United
States. Very careful measurements are taken of the thickness of the cornea, the refractive state of the eye, and the size of
the central optic zone. Today, RK is rarely done, and has been replaced by other more predictable procedures. However, a
variation of RK, called astigmatic keratotomy or limbal relaxing incisions, is performed often during cataract surgery to
reduce astigmatism.
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