Abstract
Purpose: :
To evaluate visual outcomes and astigmatism in patients who underwent 24 bite-running penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) with the femtosecond laser "Zig-Zag" incision versus conventional trephination incision.
Methods: :
A retrospective review of 30 eyes of 27 patients who had the femtosecond laser "Zig-Zag" PKP (Group A) and 14 eyes of 13 patients who had conventional PKP (Group B) were compared for visual recovery and astigmatism. All PKPs were closed with a 24-bite running suture technique.
Results: :
By month 3, the average astigmatism was 2.2 D in Group A and 4.45 D in Group B. Throughout the follow-up period, the mean astigmatism remained under 3 D in Group A and above 3D in Group B. Of the patients with normal macular function, 86% of Group A and 11% of Group B had achieved BSCVA of ≥ 20/30 by month 3.
Conclusions: :
The femtosecond laser generated "Zig-Zag" shaped incision leads to faster visual recovery and less induced astigmatism compared to conventional PKP.
Keywords: cornea: clinical science • transplantation • topography