Impact of Ptosis Surgery on Corneal Astigmatism in Eyes After Penetrating Keratoplasty: A Case Series.

BACKGROUND

Ptosis is a common complication of ophthalmological surgery and is known to alter the corneal shape. This study analyzed the effect of ptosis surgery on corneal astigmatism in patients with ptosis after penetrating keratoplasty using a Fourier harmonic analysis.

METHODS

Patients who underwent ptosis surgery following penetrating keratoplasty at the University of Tokyo Hospital between 2017 and 2023 were included. A corneal tomographic analysis was performed using anterior segment optical coherence tomography before and three months after ptosis surgery.

RESULTS

Seven eyes of seven patients (four men and three women; mean age = 72.9 ± 12.5 years) were included in the study. The Fourier analysis with a 6-mm diameter demonstrated that the anterior corneal spherical component, regular astigmatism, and asymmetry component did not change. Higher-order irregularity significantly decreased from 0.68 ± 0.27 D to 0.53 ± 0.25 D with surgery (p = 0.038). However, each component in the Fourier analysis for the posterior cornea remained unchanged.

CONCLUSION

Ptosis surgery altered the shape of the anterior corneal surface and reduced the incidence of corneal irregularities following penetrating keratoplasty.