AN ADJUSTABLE DOUBLE RUNNING SUTURE TECHNIQUE FOR KERATOPLASTY

In a retrospective analysis, we examined 30 consecutive cases of penetrating keratoplasty in which a double running 10-0/11-0 nylon suture technique was used and the 10-0 suture was adjusted early in the postoperative period to reduce astigmatism. When the response to suture adjustment was inadequate, the presence of the 11-0 suture allowed for early (ten to 18 weeks) removal of the 10-0 suture. Rapid visual recovery (12.3 +/- 0.95 weeks; mean +/-standard error) and low levels of final astigmatism (2.66 +/- 0.24 diopters) were achieved. Visual acuity was 20/20 to 20/40 in 25 of the 28 patients (89%) who were visually rehabilitated. In these 28 patients, visual acuity remained stable for the remainder of the study. All patients had a minimum of six months' follow-up from the time of surgery; mean follow-up was 10.6 +/- 1.70 months.