Analysis of visual and refractive results after wedge resection for high astigmatism after penetrating keratoplasty in keratoconus

To analyze visual and refractive results after wedge resection to correct high astigmatism after penetrating keratoplasty (PK) for keratoconus. Cornea Unit of the Centro de Oftalmología Barraquer Barcelona, Spain. A retrospective quasi-experimental, before and after study. Patients who developed high astigmatism or ectasia in the graft-host junction after PK were treated with wedge resection. The following variables were studied before the surgery, 1-year after and at the final visit: uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), refractive and topographic astigmatism and spherical equivalent. Vectorial analysis of the astigmatism changes was performed. Fifty-one eyes were included with a mean follow-up of 4.19 ± 3.09 years. Mean refractive astigmatism was 11.47 ± 3.57 diopters (D) pre-operatively and 4.79 ± 3.32 D at the final follow-up (p < 0.001). The mean centroid changed from 2.65 ± 11.82 D at 23 degrees preoperatively to 0.35 ± 5.86 D at 127 degrees postoperatively. Concerning spherical equivalent, the mean preoperative value was −3.10 ± 4.15 D and the mean postoperative value was −1.55 ± 3.41 D (p = 0.002). Mean pre-operative and final follow-up UDVA were 1.25 ± 0.27 and 0.84 ± 0.50 (p < 0.001). Mean Pre-op and final follow-up CDVA were 0.27 ± 0.19 and 0.24 ± 0.24. Wedge resection is a useful surgical procedure to correct high astigmatism. It is a safe technique with moderate efficacy and may be considered as initial procedure of choice in high astigmatism due to long-term ectasia in the graft-host junction after PK for keratoconus.