Combined astigmatic keratotomy and conductive keratoplasty to correct high corneal astigmatism

PURPOSE

To determine the safety, efficacy, and predictability of combined astigmatic keratotomy (AK) and conductive keratoplasty (CK) for treating high corneal astigmatism.

SETTING

University of California-Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA.

DESIGN

Retrospective case series.

METHODS

From January 1, 2004, to December 31, 2009, AK and CK were performed in eyes with corneal astigmatism of 5.0 diopters (D) or more after keratoplasty or trauma. The uncorrected (UDVA) and corrected (CDVA) distance visual acuities, spherical equivalent (SE), defocus equivalent, mean astigmatism, efficacy index, and complications were evaluated.

RESULTS

In 11 eyes of 11 patients, the mean UDVA improved from 1.54 logMAR ± 0.50 (SD) preoperatively to 0.69 ± 0.62 logMAR 3 months postoperatively (P < .001) and the mean CDVA from 0.55 ± 0.62 logMAR to 0.12 ± 0.11 logMAR (P = .028). The mean SE and mean defocus equivalent decreased from -1.25 ± 5.06 D to 3.13 ± 3.06 D (P = .15) and from 7.98 ± 4.41 D to 6.97 ± 3.73 D (P = .45), respectively; these changes were not statistically significant. The mean absolute astigmatism decreased from 10.25 ± 4.71 D to 4.31 ± 2.34 D (P < .001). The mean absolute orthogonal and mean oblique astigmatism showed a statistically significant decrease. The efficacy index was 0.82. One case of wound gape after AK required suturing. No infectious keratitis, corneal perforation, or graft rejection occurred.

CONCLUSIONS

Results indicate that combined AK and CK is safe and effective for correcting high corneal astigmatism after surgery or trauma.

Corrective Techniques and Future Directions for Treatment of Residual Refractive Error Following Cataract Surgery

Postoperative residual refractive error following cataract surgery is not an uncommon occurrence for a large proportion of modern-day patients. Residual refractive errors can be broadly classified into 3 main categories: myopic, hyperopic, and astigmatic. The degree to which a residual refractive error adversely affects a patient is dependent on the magnitude of the error, as well as the specific type of intraocular lens the patient possesses. There are a variety of strategies for resolving residual refractive errors that must be individualized for each specific patient scenario. In this review, the authors discuss contemporary methods for rectification of residual refractive error, along with their respective indications/contraindications, and efficacies.

Conductive keratoplasty: an approach for the correction of residual hyperopia in post-lasik pseudophakia

Although there are many formulae for the calculation of intraocular lens power in the eyes with previous kerato-refractive surgeries, unexpected refractive bias still exists. Hyperopic bias is particularly disliked because it affects both uncorrected distance and near visual acuity. Surgical treatment of the residual hyperopia for the eyes with both laser in situ keratomileusis and cataract surgery remains to be a big problem. Conductive keratoplasty has been shown to be an effective, safe and predictable method for low and moderate hyperopia in the pseudophakic eyes or in the eyes with kerato-refractive surgeries. However, the efficacy and safety of conductive keratoplasty in the correction of residual hyperopia after both corneal and lens refractive surgeries has not been reported. Herein, we reported the surgical correction with conductive keratoplasty for cases of residual hyperopia with/without astigmatism after previous laser in situ keratomileusis for high myopia and following phacoemulsification combined with posterior intraocular lens implantation for complicated cataract.