A statistical analysis of radial keratotomy in human cadaver eyes

We performed radial keratotomy using the Fyodorov techniques on 14 Eye Bank eyes. Using stepwise regression and best subset statistical analysis, we examined the effects of incision depth, corneal curvature, corneal thickness, corneal diameter, and incision length. We found that the most significant variables affecting postoperative corneal curvature were the incision depth and length. The histologic examination of serial sections of the Eye Bank eyes after this procedure revealed that the average achieved incision depth, using a standard blade depth setting, had variations of up to 30% between eyes. This inability to standardize incision depth may lead to the variable surgical results reported in radial keratotomy.