Radial keratotomy (RK) is a refractive surgical procedure to correct myopia (nearsightedness) that was developed in 1974, by Svyatoslav Fyodorov, a Russian ophthalmologist. Though it has been largely supplanted by newer operations, such as photorefractive keratectomy, LASIK, Epi-LASIK and the phakic intraocular lens, RK remains popular for correction of astigmatism in certain patients.
Approximately one fourth of the world's population is myopic. Radial keratotomy (RK) for myopia has developed slowly over the last century. Since it was first performed in the United States, the operation has been the subject of interest and lively debate among ophthalmologists and patients with myopia.
