Astigmatism Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Astigmatism, including details on cornea, retina, treatment, types, signs, tests.

Astigmatism after mersilene and nylon suture use for penetrating keratoplasty.

Landau D, Siganos CS, Mechoulam H, Solomon A, Frucht-Pery J

From the Cornea and Refractive Surgery Service, Department of Ophthalmology, Hadassah University Hospital, Jerusalem, Israel.

PURPOSE:: To evaluate postoperative astigmatism after the use of Mersilene and nylon sutures for penetrating keratoplasty. METHODS:: Two groups of 12 patients each (age, 20-50 years) suffering from keratoconus underwent penetrating keratoplasty. Continuous suturing combined with 12 interrupted sutures was used in each case: Mersilene 11-0 sutures were used in group 1, whereas nylon 10-0 sutures were used in group 2. Sutures were removed to control astigmatism when required. All patients were monitored for 36 months. RESULTS:: During the follow-up period, sutures were removed in each eye as indicated by astigmatism or breakage. In group 1 (Mersilene 11-0 sutures), no breakage of sutures was recorded. In group 2 (nylon 10-0 sutures), breakage of sutures was recorded in 11 of 12 cases. However, continuous sutures were removed in 2 patients in group 2. After the first year, the astigmatism remained within +/-1.00 diopter in all except 1 patient in group 1 and in 5 patients in group 2. No suture-related complications were recorded except for scarring with photophobia in 1 patient in group 1 and suture breakage in 11 eyes in group 2. CONCLUSION:: Mersilene sutures can provide a stable postoperative astigmatism, whereas nylon sutures have a tendency to break and cause changes in corneal astigmatism.

Published 1 November 2006 in Cornea, 25(6): 691-4.
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