Complications of contact lens wear after radial keratotomy in an animal model

In 12 rabbits radial keratotomy was performed on one eye with no treatment to the contralateral eye. Cellulose acetate butyrate contact lenses were fitted bilaterally for extended wear. The eyes were monitored weekly for three weeks with a standardized slit-lamp grading method. Corneal neovascularization occurred earlier and progressed further in eyes that had radial keratotomy than in the control eyes (P < .0025). These results suggested that patients who require contact lenses after radial keratotomy may be at higher risk for complications such as corneal neovascularization.