Purpose:
Corneal suture in cataract surgery is known as a significant factor for reducing post-operative endophtalmitis but may induce a transitional corneal astigmatism. Suture removal is usually performed postoperatively, making it possible for the cornea to take its final shape. The aim of this study was to evaluate the time before stabilization of the suture-induced astigmatism, after suture removal, in cataract surgery.
Methods:
Prospective study of patients who underwent cataract surgery by phacoemulsification, with 2.4 mm incision and corneal suture, was realized. A specular corneal topography was performed before removal, immediately after, then 5, 10, 20, 30 minutes and 15 days after. For each acquisition, the keratometric readings at the steepest (Kmax) and the flattest meridians (central at 1.15 mm from corneal center, intermediate at 2.30 mm and peripheral at 3.30 mm) and the amount of corneal astigmatism were measured.
Results:
Corneal topography of 9 patients (9 eyes) was acquired. Mean age was 69 ± 11 years, mean time after cataract surgery was 32 ± 8 days. Mean central Kmax was 93.6% of baseline (value before suture removal) immediately after suture removal, 94.1% at 5 minutes, 95.4% at 10 minutes, 95.6% at 20 minutes, 93.6% at 30 minutes and 93.5% after 15 days. Variations of Kmax for intermediate and peripheral measurements are reported in Figure 1. On average, the amount of astigmatism decreased 0.1% between 30 minutes and day 15.
Conclusions:
Keratometric readings seem to be stable about 30 minutes after suture removal. These results suggest an early stabilization of astigmatism after corneal suture removal in phacoemulsification cataract surgery with clear corneal incision.
Keywords: cataract • astigmatism • topography