Comparison of Corneal Astigmatism after Keratolasty with 3 Kinds of Suture Techniques

ABSTRACT

In order to evaluate the comparison of corneal astigmatism after keratoplasty with 3 kinds of suture techniques, penetrating keratoplasty was performed in 25 patients(25 eyes) with different suture techniques, single continuous(group I, N=7), interrupted(II, N=7), and combined sutures(III, N=11) with 10-0 nylon. In group I, suture control was made from postoperative 1 month and selective suture removal was done in group II and III. The corneal astimatism was analyzed prospectively with corneal topography more than 1 year in all except 2 patients. The amout of corneal astigmatism in group I, II and III at postoperatie 1 month was 2.12D, 3.14D and 3.08D respectively (P>0.05, Kruskal-Willis test) and showed marked reduction upon postoperative 3 months. At postoperative 1 year, corneal astigmatism of each group was 2,62D, 1.49D and 2,18D respectively(P>0.05). The corneal astigmatism between keratoconus and other corneal disorders was not statistically ignificant. Interrupted suture induced least corneal astigmatism after keratoplasty compared to other suture methods even if there was no statistical significance.