[Long-term stability of astigmatism after suture correction in penetrating keratoplasty]

Severe astigmatism after penetrating keratoplasty is frequently a major problem. If one uses a technique to adjust a single running 10-0 nylon suture in the early period after keratoplasty, the suture tension can be redistributed and astigmatism reduced. Eighteen eyes with an average of 8.8 D of postkeratoplasty astigmatism underwent suture adjustment. The mean keratometric astigmatism before suture removal was 3.1 D. After suture removal with an follow-up of 25 months, the mean corneal astigmatism was 3.2 D, only one eye did the suture break during adjustment. No infection, vascularization or rejection occurred.