title: The effect of removing running sutures on astigmatism after penetrating keratoplasty.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: W.K. Kellogg Eye Center, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor 48105.
authors.forename: D C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Musch
authors.forename: R F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Meyer
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sugar
mesh_terms: D001251:Astigmatism / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D003315:Cornea / Q000473:pathology; D016039:Corneal Transplantation; D006801:Humans; D007640:Keratoconus / Q000628:therapy; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D013536:Suture Techniques