Acute morphologic features of radial keratotomy.

We performed eight partially penetrating incisions in 19 eye-bank, 12 nonhuman primate, and 34 canine eyes. Evaluation of the posterior corneal surface by vital staining, correlative microscopy, with corneal incisions set from 80% to 110% of central pachymetric thickness, in three eyes demonstrated damage to the endothelium without anterior chamber perforation. Posterior folds in Descemet's membrane under an incision site was present in all specimens. Potential optical aberrations could be produced about the visual axis depending on the direction of the corneal incisions. Based on this study, the radial keratotomy procedure performed with up to eight deep incisions may produce optic defects. We recommend animal studies to assess the long-term effects of this procedure on the cornea and especially the endothelium.