Abstract
Purpose To evaluate the effect of increased atmospheric pressure on visual acuity in patients who have had radial keratotomy (RK). Setting Long Beach Memorial Medical Center, Long Beach, California, USA. Methods This controlled clinical study comprised 4 eyes that had RK and 4 control eyes that were age and sex matched. All patients had prehyperbaric chamber examinations consisting of manifest and cycloplegic refractions, intraocular pressure (IOP), keratometry, and corneal pachymetry. They were then placed into the hyperbaric chamber for 1 hour. Immediately after the patients were removed from the chamber, the examinations were performed again. Results No statistically significant changes in visual acuity, refractive error, IOP, keratometry, or pachymetry occurred in the 2 groups. Conclusion The results of this study indicate that, unlike at high altitudes, RK is stable at increased atmospheric pressure. This suggests that RK patients can engage in recreational scuba diving without encountering deleterious visual changes.
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