Many years and many happy patients later, radial keratotomy continues to be a very controversial approach to correcting nearsightedness. I asked Arnold Stokol, an optometrist, what the latest info is on corrective surgery. As someone who doesn't do surgery himself, he should be an unbiased source. As a result, light rays focus in front of the retina, causing distant objects to appear blurred. Although the majority of patients report complete satisfaction with radial keratotomy, it's also worth looking at the down side.
Surgery is no guarantee of freedom from glasses.
Studies show that more than a third of those who have radial keratotomy still need glasses afterward, with as many as 17 percent ending up farsighted. Furthermore, contact lenses usually can't be tolerated after surgery. And because the incisions weaken the eye, protective goggles are a must for athletes. An alternative to radial keratotomy is a new procedure called photorefractive keratectomy. Using a computer controlled laser, the doctor changes the shape of the cornea by removing 5 to 10 percent of its thickness.