Correction of astigmatism after penetrating keratoplasty by relaxing incision with compression suture: a comparison between the guiding effect of photokeratoscope and of computer-assisted videokeratography.
OBJECTIVE
To report the results of astigmatism correction after penetrating keratoplasty by relaxing incision with compression suture and to compare the guiding ability of a photokeratoscope with that of computer-assisted videokeratography.


METHODS
In the two independent retrospective series, 11 eyes received a relaxing incision with compression suture guided by photokeratoscope or computer-assisted videokeratography.


RESULTS
In 22 eyes, the relaxing incision with compression suture showed a mean 56% reduction in astigmatism and 78% reduction in vector-calculated astigmatism. The mean postoperative visual acuity was improved 2.92 Landolt lines. The 11 eyes in which treatment was guided by photokeratoscope demonstrated a mean reduction of 50% and 71% in astigmatism and vector-calculated astigmatism, respectively, and visual acuity increased 2.44 Landolt lines. Another 11 eyes in which treatment was guided by computer-assisted videokeratography achieved a mean reduction of 67% and 90% in astigmatism and vector-calculated astigmatism, respectively, together with 3.41 Landolt lines improvement in visual acuity. There were no significant differences in astigmatism correction and visual acuity improvement between the two groups.


CONCLUSIONS
The results demonstrate that the relaxing incision with compression suture is an effective and safe procedure for correcting high astigmatism after penetrating keratoplasty. The two instruments have no significant difference in their guiding capacities for this procedure.
Chang
Sheng-Ming
SM
Department of Ophthalmology, Yuan's General Hospital, Kaoshing, Taiwan.
Su
Chuan-Yi
CY
Lin
Chang-Ping
CP
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001251:Astigmatism / Q000601:surgery*; D019781:Corneal Topography; D003936:Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015948:Keratoplasty, Penetrating; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D025321:Surgery, Computer-Assisted; D013536:Suture Techniques; D014792:Visual Acuity