Eighty-five percent of the respondents reported no problems while diving after RK surgery. In fact, those with no problems commented on how pleased they were with the surgery and how it increased the pleasure of their dive experience. Many had previously worn contact lenses or prescription lenses and enjoyed the freedom of having to wear neither. They also noted they were pleased they didn't have to worry about their masks flooding and the subsequent loss of a contact lens or worry that their expensive prescription lenses might be broken.

Recreational divers thus far have not seen any strong recommendations about diving and RK. Not so for the military. The U.S. Navy has strict regulations regarding RK surgery, and individuals who have had this type of myopia correction have historically been prohibited from diving. Other branches of the service may also limit diving after RK. In a review by Captain Frank Butler, M.D., an eye surgeon and medical diving doctor for the U.S. Navy, several researchers recommended that military divers not be allowed to dive after RK surgery because of the possible complications and the possible barotrauma-induced rupture of the corneal incisions.

On paper Butler has summarized the theoretical data that supports the potential complications and ruptures, but to date no such occurrences have ever been reported. Butler has examined three U.S. Navy divers and one Coast Guard diver who had had bilateral radial keratotomy following completion of their initial dive training. All had returned to diving shortly after undergoing RK surgery. All had been diving for four to 10 years since surgery without any corneal wound problems or other adverse effect.

How long should recreational divers wait to resume diving after RK surgery?

This is a question asked by both divers and their ophthalmologists. Some doctors believe diving should be stopped altogether, while others have a more open approach, but vary in their recommended time intervals until returning to diving.
Like most medical procedures, there are other possible complications and side effects after RK surgery.
These include:
- corneal weakness due to the incisions
- a perceived halo or glare around lights at night
- farsightedness
- the possibility of a corneal rupture with trauma to the eye

Because there is little available data on the subject, many physicians are unsure of recommending a specific waiting period for divers. Most physicians do feel, however, that once there is no risk of infection and the corneal incision sites have healed, diving may be considered.

Continued...