Control of astigmatism after surgery and trauma.

Since the introduction of microsurgical accuracy in the closure of corneal wounds, there have been fewer complications due to imperfect wound closure. As a result the eye is much safer after intraocular surgery or trauma. There may, however, be an undesirable and irregular refractive error. Much thought has been given to the prevention of this by attention to other details during closure of wounds. Interest has been revived in surgery for the correction of inherent refractive errors. The methods used for such conditions may also be applied to residual distortion after surgery or trauma. The possibility of adjustment during the early postoperative period has escaped detailed consideration. This neglected approach to the control of astigmatism is discussed in this paper.