Management of postkeratoplasty astigmatism

Many factors have led to the improved success rate for clear corneal grafts after penetrating keratoplasty. Unfortunately, postoperative corneal astigmatism commonly occurs and can produce significant visual impairment. Astigmatic correction may include spectacle correction or contact lenses, but if this fails, then surgical options are considered. Refractive surgical techniques such as suture removal or adjustment, relaxing incisions, wedge resections, and photorefractive keratectomy or laser in situ keratomileusis can dramatically reduce postoperative astigmatism after penetrating keratoplasty and lead to improved, functional vision. However, significant variability between results in individual patients can occur. So although general guidelines are useful, it is important to individualize and modify the planned surgery based on qualitative keratoscopy and corneal topography for the initial and subsequent astigmatic corrections.