Long-term results of corneal wedge resections for the correction of high astigmatism

• Published in: Documenta ophthalmologica Vol. 75; no. 3-4; pp. 263 - 273
• Main Authors: HOPPENREIJS, V. P. T, VAN RIJ, G, BEEKHUIS, W. H, RIJNEVELD, W. J, RINKEL-VAN DRIEL, E
• Format: Conference Proceeding Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer 01-10-1990
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Astigmatism - etiology; Astigmatism - surgery; Biological and medical sciences; Child; Cornea - surgery; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Longitudinal Studies; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Postoperative Care; Postoperative Complications - surgery; Prognosis; Retrospective Studies; Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases; Surgery of the eye and orbit; Surgical Procedures, Operative - methods; Visual Acuity; Human; Cornea; Eye disease; Treatment; Surgery; Refractive error; Surgical resection; Technique; Astigmatism
• ISSN: 0012-4486; 1573-2622
• DOI: 10.1007/BF00164840

We retrospectively evaluated 41 corneal wedge resections, performed for the correction of high astigmatism in 40 patients who were spectacle and contact lens intolerant. Keratometric astigmatism decreased from an average of 11.7 diopters (range 5 to 22.5 D) preoperatively to 3.5 diopters (range 0 to 10 D) postoperatively, representing a mean reduction of 8.2 D (range 0 to 16.5), or 70%. The length of follow-up averaged 11 months. Twenty-five, 15 and 9 cases had a follow-up of at least 3, 5 and 10 years, respectively. In 16 cases the keratometry readings remained stable over the years. However, in 1 case of Fuchs' endothelial dystrophy (follow-up 13 years) and 5 cases of keratoconus (follow-up 3, 4, 12, 13 and 14 years) the astigmatism gradually increased during the various follow-up periods. In 3 other cases the astigmatism gradually decreased over the years. Corneal wedge resection is an effective technique for managing high corneal astigmatism. The results remain stable over the years except in some patients with keratoconus.