Factors affecting changes in astigmatism before and after suture removal following penetrating keratoplasty

• Published in: European journal of ophthalmology 2007-05, Vol.17 (3), p.301-306
• Main Authors: Yilmaz, S, Ali Ozdil, M, Maden, A
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Astigmatism - etiology; Corneal Diseases - surgery; Female; Humans; Keratoplasty, Penetrating - adverse effects; Male; Middle Aged; Risk Factors; Suture Techniques
• ISSN: 1120-6721; 1724-6016
• DOI: 10.1177/112067210701700304

To analyze the factors related to changes in astigmatism before and after suture removal in patients who underwent penetrating keratoplasty (PK). The study group consisted of 171 consecutive PKs in 171 patients. Keratometric astigmatism was measured before and after suture removal in all patients. The vectorial difference for each eye was calculated between the examination before suture removal and the first year after suture removal. The vectorial difference values were compared with the possible factors affecting astigmatic change such as age of the patient, donor-recipient trephine diameter difference, preoperative diagnosis, and time of suture removal. All sutures were removed completely in one session. The vectorial difference values of all groups were compared with each other statistically. Before suture removal, the mean cylinder was 4.40 +/- 3.24 D; it was 3.96 +/- 2.19 D at 1 year after suture removal. The net difference of astigmatism was -0.27 +/- 3.50. The mean value of vectorial difference for all patients was 4.93 +/- 4.02 D. There was a statistically significant negative correlation between the trephine diameter difference and the vectorial difference (r= -0.582, p