Rupture of a radial keratotomy incision after 11 years during clear corneal phacoemulsification

We report a case of rupture of a radial keratotomy (RK) incision that occurred during clear corneal phacoemulsification 11 years after the initial surgery. The RK was done in both eyes for correction of high myopia (>8.0 diopters). This was followed by 2 enhancement procedures at 6 month intervals. The patient presented with diminished vision in both eyes, The diagnosis was nuclear cataract in the right eye, and clear corneal phacoemulsification was done. The intraoperative and postoperative courses were uneventful. Nine months later, clear corneal temporal phacoemulsification was done in the left eye. During surgery, 1 of the radial incisions opened to one third its length. The wound was sutured, and the procedure was completed uneventfully. One month later, best corrected visual acuity was 20/20. (C) 2001 ASCRS and ESCRS.