Evaluation of bidirectional radial and astigmatic keratotomy

PURPOSE: To analyze the outcome of incisional radial and astigmatic keratotomy using a bidirectional keratome. METHODS: We used a bidirectional cutting diamond keratome on 100 consecutive eyes (mean patient age 38 years, range 18 to 67 years) whose mean preoperative cycloplegic refraction was -4.64 (range of sphere -1.50 to -15.25) and +1.25 of cylinder (range of cylinder +0.50 to +5.00). RESULTS: Mean postoperative cycloplegic refraction was -0.31 (range +0.50 to -1.25) and +0.25 cylinder (range 0 to +1.00). At the end of 1 year, 97% of eyes had an uncorrected visual acuity of 20/40 or better. The rate of enhancement of the original keratotomy was 10%; all of these eyes had more than -6.25 diopters (D) of sphere or +2.00 D of cylinder preoperatively. Side effects were minimal, and no sight-threatening complications occurred. CONCLUSION: In this study, bidirectional incisional radial and astigmatic keratotomy was an accurate and predictable technique for myopia and astigmatism; all patients were satisfied with the procedure.