Clinical Results of Trapezoidal Astigmatic Keratotomy

Abstract

Eighteen eyes in seventeen patients ranging from 46 to 83 years of age underwent Ruiz trapezoidal astigmatic keratotomies. Two eyes underwent repeat astigmatic keratotomies. Preoperative regular astigmatism ranged from 3.50 to 13.00 diopters by keratometry. Nine of the eyes had high regular astigmatism after penetrating keratoplasty, six eyes following cataract surgery, and three eyes with no previous history of surgery. The amount of astigmatism change by keratometry at three month followup ranged from 1.25 to 11.75 diopters. Regression of the effect was not observed. The amount of astigmatism change was inversely proportional to the size of the optical zone as in radial keratotomy. Additionally, greater effects were achieved in patients with advanced age.