Purpose: To reshape or flatten the corneas of post-radial keratotomy (RK) patients with residual myopia to improve uncorrected vision.
Methods: Twenty-one eyes (12 patients) with undercorrected RK results were fit with the Lexington RK splint, a multicurve plateau concept RGP contact lens.
Results: After wearing the lens an average of 6.1 months, undercorrected visual acuity improved an average 3.4 lines; change in spherical equivalent averaged 0.77 D; and flat K change averaged 0.75 D. Seventeen of 21 eyes (81%) demonstrated improved uncorrected vision. Nine eyes (43%) subsequently had a decrease in vision after discontinuing lens wear. Patients fit within 7 months of their last RK procedure were more likely to achieve optimal results. Sixty-two percent of this group did not require glasses or contact lenses (range: 4 to 21 months).
Conclusions: A well-designed and fit plateau RGP contact lens can manipulate the healing post-RK cornea.