Astigmatic Keratotomy Overview

Astigmatic keratotomy is done on individuals suffering from astigmatism. Cornea is a clear membrane in front of the eye. In normal eye, cornea is round in shape that allows the light to fall directly on the retina thus leading to the accurate formation of the image. In astigmatism, the shape of the cornea is not round. It is less spherical. Therefore, in astigmatism, light rays entering the cornea are bent in different directions that give a blurred image.

Doctor evaluates your medical history and tests your eyes for corneal thickness, refraction and pupil dilation. After this, surgeon gives you a date for the procedure to be done.

You are advised following by the surgeon:

• To avoid rigid gas permeable contact lenses, three weeks before the surgery.

• To avoid contact lenses three days before the surgery.

• Eat a light meal on the day of surgery.

• Take all the prescribed medicines along with

• Avoid heavy eye makeup and any head accessories.

It is a very simple eye surgery that requires only 10 minutes to do. One or two incisions are made in the surface of the cornea to relax it and make it spherical. Incisions are made on the steepest part of the cornea, thus making it round in shape. Incisions can be made in a straight line or in the form of arc. It allows the light to form clear image on the retina that results in better vision. The surgery is done under local anesthesia. It can be done alone or with other refractive procedure such as radial keratotomy.

Though it is a safe and an effective eye procedure yet possible side effects associated with the procedure are:-

• Discomfort that lasts for two or three days after the surgery

• Blurred vision for a few days after the surgery

• Weakened cornea prone to rupture easily

• Susceptibility to infection

• Slow healing.

• Irreversible changes that may be good or bad

• Sensitivity to light

• Difficulty in wearing contact lenses

• ‘Halos’ around lights at night.

• Eyes may become red and gritty.

Your doctor will prescribe you some antibiotics and eye drops to prevent any infection or inflammation of the eye. You are advised to take rest on the day of the surgery. Results of the surgery are seen after a few weeks.

• Astigmatic keratotomy for post-keratoplasty astigmatismJournal of Cataract & Refractive Surgery, Volume 32, Issue 7, Pages 1175-1179T. Poole, L. Ficker
• Fledelius HC, Stubgaard M. Changes in refraction and corneal curvature during growth and adult life. A cross sectional study. Acta Ophthalmol (Copenh). 1986;64:487-491.