[Correction of astigmatism by controlled bipolar scleral diathermy. Initial clinical experience]

Twelve eyes (9 patients with an average age of 35.3 years) were treated for astigmatism using temperature-directed bipolar scleral diathermy applied either directly to the limbus or 1 mm from it. The patients were then followed up for a period of 3 to 15 months. Using an electrode distance of 1 mm, diathermy was applied for 2.5-4.5 s until a scleral temperature of 60-65 degrees C was reached. A decrease in astigmatism from 9.5 dpt (s = 5.55) preoperatively to 1.7 dpt (s = 0.98) postoperatively was achieved as the final result. A further increase in astigmatism was noted up to the 3rd postoperative months of up to 5.4 dpt (s = 1.26). The refractive status achieved after this period proved to be stable. Retrogression of the initial effect varied according to the initial condition. Partial recurrence of astigmatism up to 5.16 dpt (s = 1.26) was observed within 6 months in cases of congenital astigmatism. In contrast, following IOL implantation. A further reduction of astigmatism up to 2.5 dpt 3 months postoperatively was noted after an initial reduction from 6.3 dpt (s = 0.25) preoperatively to 3.5 dpt (s = 1.08) postoperatively. Following perforating keratoplasty, one eye that had not been fitted with a contact lens showed a reduction in astigmatism of from 18 preoperatively to 1.2 dpt post-operatively after treatment. Nevertheless, an increase in astigmatism of up to 10.7 dpt was observed after 3 months. In cases with permanent contact lenses after keratoplasty, the situation was different.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)