The effect of removing running sutures on astigmatism after penetrating keratoplasty
D. C. Musch, R. F. Meyer and A. Sugar
W.K. Kellogg Eye Center, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor 48105.
To evaluate astigmatic change after removal of the double running sutures
used in penetrating keratoplasty, all patients (N = 131) in the Michigan
Corneal Transplantation Patient Registry, Ann Arbor, whose eyes were phakic
after penetrating keratoplasty were evaluated. The primary reasons for
surgery in this group were keratoconus (n = 44, 34%) and Fuchs' corneal
dystrophy (n = 19, 15%). The average effect of 10-0 suture removal in 58
eyes with documented keratometry readings was a 0.30-diopter (D) decrease
in astigmatism, with 59% showing 2 D or less of astigmatic change. In 83
eyes with keratometry readings before and after 11-0 suture removal, an
average increase of 0.37 D of astigmatism was observed, with 81% showing
less than 2 D of astigmatic change. In eyes that were highly astigmatic
(greater than 6 D) before suture removal, a reduction in astigmatism
exceeding 2 D was observed in 39% and 11% after 10-0 and 11-0 suture
removal, respectively.
