Wound healing following excimer laser radial keratotomy.

A pulsed excimer laser was used to produce radial keratotomy in vivo in human corneas and the wound healing process was studied. Fluences of 370 mJ/cm2 at a repetition rate of 20 Hz were effective and atraumatic. The wound healing process was remarkably uneventful without an inflammatory or immune reaction apparent at 21 days. Consistent flattening of the cornea was obtained by shallower cuts than with conventional radial keratotomy techniques.