The Effect of Radial Keratotomy (RK) Combined with Double Ruiz Procedure on the Corneal Curvature

ABSTRACT

Under the postulation that double Ruiz procedure could increase the effect of radial keratotomy(RK), RK combined with horizontal and vertical Ruiz procedure was performed in three groups of 22 rabbit eyes. In the group A of six eyes, RK with vertical Ruiz procedure was performed, and eight weeks later the horizontal Ruiz procedure was added. In the group B of eight eyes, RK with horizontal Ruiz procedure was performed, and four weeks later the vertical Ruiz procedure was added. In the group C of eight eyes, RK with horizontal and vertical Ruiz procedure were performed simultaneously. As a control, in the group D of eight eyes, RK without Ruiz procedure was performed. Changes in keratometry for four weeks and eight weeks postoperatively were analyzed. The results were as follows 1. At eight weeks postoperatively, mean changes in keratometry were 6.434D, 3.663D, 4.030D and 1.585D in groups A,B,C and D, respectively. 2. Mean changes in keratometry of groups A,B and C were significantly higher than that of group D. 3. Mean change in keratometry of 6.434D in group A was significantly the highest of the three groups in which the double Ruiz procedure was performed. From the above results, it was concluded that the double Ruiz procedure increased the effect of RK and that the procedure was more effective when secondary Ruiz procedure was added eight weeks later.