The effect of relaxing incisions with multiple compression sutures on post-keratoplasty astigmatism

We describe a surgical technique for correction of astigmatism following penetrating keratoplasty performed after all keratoplasty sutures have been removed. Two relaxing incisions of 3 clock hours, at 3/4 depth, 0.5 mm inside the keratoplasty wound are used in combination with two sets of three compression sutures placed 90 degrees from the incisions. Selective removal of the compression sutures allows for a graded reduction in overcorrection. With this technique, a mean preoperative astigmatism in 10 patients of 14.25 diopters was reduced to 6.33 D 3 months postoperatively (P less than .002). There were no intraoperative or postoperative complications such as inadvertent perforation, wound dehiscence, or graft rejection.