Hexagonal Keratotomy (HK)

Hexagonal keratotomy was a type of surgery used in correcting hyperopia, or farsightedness. Hyperopia is caused when light entering the eye focuses behind the retina. Usually light focuses directly on the retina. Hyperopia happens when a cornea is more flat than normal eyes. Farsighted people tend to have vision problems associated close things. Hexagonal keratotomy (HK) was a procedure that was used to fix hyperopia until serious side effects were seen to occur with the procedure.

Hexagonal keratotomy was performed in the 1950s. The technique involves making several incisions within a 6 mm diameter zone. Because of the depth and number of incisions, hexagonal keratotomy surgery caused wounds that had serious healing problems.

The incisions associated with hexagonal keratotomy are made in a hexagonal pattern on the cornea. The intention was to "push up" the flattened cornea, causing it to slightly protrude forward. Hexagonal keratotomy has been perhaps the most problematic of corneal incision surgeries, however.

Hexagonal keratotomy involved a thick corneal incision that was seen to be both too deep and consist of too many cuts. The corneal surface and tissue usually became highly unstable because of these cuts. Eye shape usually changed over time. The addition of HK to already existing surgeries caused the eye to have too many incisions that could lead to a worsening of astigmatism.

Though hexagonal keratotomy is no longer practiced in the US and other countries, the procedure did occur frequently throughout the country. Other surgeries that include the cutting of the cornea have seen a much higher success rate.

The use of lasers in modern technology has resulted in ceasing problems found in hexagonal keratotomy. LASIK and other laser related eye surgeries often replace any problems that serious and frequent cuts on the cornea may cause.

There are several types of successful surgeries that do rely on making cuts on the cornea, however. These cuts are not as frequent or as deep as hexagonal keratotomy. Talk to an experienced LASIK surgeon to discuss your options, as all patients are different. Make sure your surgeon has years of experience in corneal cutting techniques and is aware of breakthroughs and past mistakes as well.

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