CORNEAL TOPOGRAPHY AFTER SELECTIVE SUTURE REMOVAL FOR ASTIGMATISM FOLLOWING KERATOPLASTY

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The authors sought to determine whether the immediate corneal topographic changes induced by selective suture remo val for astigmatism after keratoplasty were stable over time. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Computerized videokeratoscopic images were obtained prio r to and immediately following suture removal in 14 patients, and then again at the next postoperative visit 4 to 6 weeks later. These image s were analyzed and statistically compared for central corneal power a nd vector of the central 3-mm corneal astigmatism. RESULTS: Most of th e topographic changes induced by suture removal occurred immediately. However, continued shifting in corneal curvature did take place over t he subsequent 4 to 6 weeks. Unpredictable shifts were more pronounced in patients whose surgery had been performed more than 20 months prior to suture removal. CONCLUSION: Computerized videokeratoscopy graphica lly elucidates continued shifts in corneal topography following the re moval of sutures for the control of astigmatism after keratoplasty.