Relationship of glare to uncorrected visual acuity and cycloplegic refraction 1 year after radial keratotomy in the prospective evaluation of radial keratotomy (PERK) study.

This study examines the relationship of subjective glare to refraction and visual acuity, respectively, 1 year after surgery in 435 patients who underwent radial keratotomy for nearsightedness in the Prospective Evaluation of Radial Keratotomy (PERK) study. Patients were asked if they experienced glare in bright light. Of the 425 responding, 200 patients responded "no" and 225 patients responded "yes." We found no statistically significant difference in the mean value of the cycloplegic refraction 1 year after surgery in these two patient groups. (Mean cycloplegic refraction: no = -.48, yes = -.52, p = .73). We also found no difference between these groups with respect to the percent of patients with uncorrected visual acuity of 20/40 or better 1 year after surgery (no = 79%, yes = 76%, p = .46).