Purpose:
To compare best corrected visual acuity and mean astigmatism in eyes that underwent femtosecond laser penetrating keratoplasty (FLK) with the three different suture patterns most commonly employed.
Methods:
A retrospective review of 144 eyes that underwent FLK at an academic referral practice. Nine eyes received 16 interrupted sutures (Group A), 14 eyes received a 16-bite running suture with 8 interrupted sutures (Group B), and 121 eyes received a 24-bite running suture (Group C). Topographic astigmatism, manifest refraction, best spectacle corrected visual acuity (BSCVA), timing and frequency of suture removal or adjustment were analyzed.
Results:
At 6 month follow up, mean topographical astigmatism was 2.01 Diopters (D) in Group A, 7.75 D in Group B, and 4.02 D in Group C. In eyes with normal visual potential, 75% of eyes in Group A and C and 63% of eyes in Group B achieved BSCVA of at least 20/40.
Conclusions:
FLK combined with any suture pattern results in recovery of good levels of vision with moderate astigmatism. Grafts secured with 16 interrupted sutures appear to have the least astigmatism, while BSCVA is comparable in all groups.
Keywords: transplantation • astigmatism • laser