Purpose: To report the results of arcuate keratotomy performed with the Hanna arcitome in patients with postkeratoplasty astigmatism.
Setting: Department of Ophthalmology, Saint-Antoine Hospital, Paris VI University, Paris, France.
Methods: This retrospective study comprised 22 eyes (22 patients) with postkeratoplasty astigmatism. Paired symmetrical arcuate keratotomy was performed with the Hanna arcitome. Outcome measures included refraction, videokeratography, and keratometry.
Results: At 6.6 months +/- 8.9 (SD) after surgery, the mean increase in best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (BSCVA) was 2.1 +/- 2.4 lines. Thirteen eyes gained 2 lines or more of BSCVA, and 15 gained 3 lines or more of uncorrected visual acuity. Two patients had a decrease in BSCVA: 1 had lens opacification unrelated to arcuate keratotomy and 1, increased corneal irregularity. Mean refractive astigmatism was 6.94 +/- 2.11 diopters (D) preoperatively and 3.85 +/- 1.95 D postoperatively (P < .01). Mean change in keratometric astigmatism was -51 +/- 36%. Astigmatism decreased in 21 eyes as measured by manifest refraction, keratometry, and videokeratography; it increased in 1 cornea with a microperforation.
Conclusions: The results of arcuate keratotomy performed with the Hanna arcitome were comparable to those with freehand relaxing incisions. The instrument made safer and more uniform arcuate incisions than a freehand technique.