PURPOSE: To determine whether clear cornea temporal sutureless sections lead to astigmatic decay over a 2 year period. METHOD: The difference between (a) pre-operative keratometric cylinder and keratometric cylinder at final follow-up, and (b) spectacle cylinder at 1 month post-operation and final follow-up, was calculated for 43 eyes. RESULTS: The mean difference in keratometric cylinder between pre-operation and final follow-up was 0.12 D with the rule (WTR) or against the wound. The range was from 0.7 D WTR to 0.4 D against the rule (ATR). Eighty-two per cent of eyes did not change by more than 0.3 D. The mean change in spectacle prescription between 1 month post-operation and final follow-up was 0.05 D ATR, range 0.5 D WTR to 1.0 D ATR. At final follow-up 93% of eyes were seeing 20/40 or better unaided. CONCLUSION: A carefully constructed temporal wound can remain astigmatically neutral.
PURPOSE: To determine whether clear cornea temporal sutureless sections lead to astigmatic decay over a 2 year period. METHOD: The difference between (a) pre-operative keratometric cylinder and keratometric cylinder at final follow-up, and (b) spectacle cylinder at 1 month post-operation and final follow-up, was calculated for 43 eyes. RESULTS: The mean difference in keratometric cylinder between pre-operation and final follow-up was 0.12 D with the rule (WTR) or against the wound. The range was from 0.7 D WTR to 0.4 D against the rule (ATR). Eighty-two per cent of eyes did not change by more than 0.3 D. The mean change in spectacle prescription between 1 month post-operation and final follow-up was 0.05 D ATR, range 0.5 D WTR to 1.0 D ATR. At final follow-up 93% of eyes were seeing 20/40 or better unaided. CONCLUSION: A carefully constructed temporal wound can remain astigmatically neutral.