Fluorescein permeability of the cornea in patients after photorefraction surgery in residual myopia following radial keratotomy

Abstract The barrier function of the cornea was studied before and after eximer laser photorefraction keratectomies and laser specialized keratomileusis (LASIK) for residual myopia after previous radial keratotomy. The barrier function of the cornea was studied by local keratofluoropenetrometry making use of computer system for analyzing TV images of the eye. Impaired barrier function of the cornea at the site of keratotomic cicatrices did not recover even many years after radial keratotomy, while after LASIK it recovered in 2-4 weeks. The time of recovery of this function depends on the state of the space between the flaps. LASIK does not affect the fluorescein permeability of keratotomic cicatrices.