
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, October 13, 1994                   TAG: 9410130062
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A-3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Los Angeles Times
DATELINE: LOS ANGELES                                LENGTH: Medium

EYE SURGERY SAFE AND EFFECTIVE

Radial keratotomy, the controversial surgical technique in which slits are made in the surface of the eye to eliminate the need for glasses, is both safe and effective, according to results from a 10-year study directed by the University of Southern California and sponsored by the National Eye Institute.

The findings of the study, proponents say, may put to rest concerns over the procedure. But the results also raise questions about its long-term effects.

At the end of the 10 years, 70 percent of the 374 patients in the study still did not need glasses to correct their ability to see objects in the distance. But many did require reading glasses before they would have without the surgery, according to a report to be published Friday in the Archives of Ophthalmology.

Only 3 percent had poorer distance vision a decade after surgery, and none had catastrophic problems, the scientists reported.

First imported from the former Soviet Union 16 years ago, radial keratotomy has gradually been increasing in popularity. It is designed to correct nearsightedness, a condition that affects an estimated 70 million Americans.

``Based on these findings ... some people will be pleased with their vision shortly after having RK, but their opinion may change five, 10 or 15 years down the road,'' said study leader Dr. Peter J. McDonnell of USC's Doheny Eye Institute.

``If your primary object is to get rid of your glasses, this technique will most likely be successful until you are into your 40s,'' said Dr. Carl Kupfer, director of the National Eye Institute. ``But as you age, you'll be a little more likely to have to wear reading glasses ...''

by CNB