The sense of self-concept change in patients after radial keratotomy.

PURPOSE The study focuses on the problem of self-concept change in patients after radial keratotomy. METHODS Twenty-five patients (17 female, 8 male) were studied from 6 to 18 months after radial keratotomy using the Adjective Check List by Gough and Heilbrun with the application of double instruction. It concerned self-concept change over a period of observation after surgery, as compared to retrospective (preoperative) self-concept. RESULTS For current self-concept, patients obtained significantly higher results in the following measures: the number of positive words used for self-description (P < .05); need scales, like affiliation (P < .005), heterosexuality (P < .01), and intraception or insight (P < .05); self-confidence (P < .01); military leadership (P < .05), logical decision making (P < .05); two measures concerning logical-analytical thinking (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS The results indicate that after radial keratotomy, patients perceived themselves in a more positive way than before surgery, especially as more self-confident in interpersonal functioning.