The natural and modified course of post-cataract astigmatism.

We performed sequential central keratometry on 52 cataract patients for six months. We found no statistically significant difference in the induced postoperative astigmatism between wound closure with interrupted and double shoelace running closure with 10-0 monofilament nylon. In 31 patients, the postoperative astigmatism was always with-the-rule. In 21 patients who underwent wound closure with 8-0 polyglactin suture, we documented a postoperative shift in induced astigmatism from with- to against-the-rule which took place between the fourth and fifth postoperative week. Based on our present study of the natural and modified course of post-cataract astigmatism and based upon previous research, we feel the cataract surgeon now has the appropriate means to reduce and/or control post-cataract astigmatism.