Microbial keratitis after penetrating keratoplasty: Impact of sutures

Abstract

Purpose: To determine the impact of presence or absence of sutures in cases with postpenetrating keratoplasty (PKP) microbial keratitis. Design: A 10-year retrospective chart review of post-PKP patients admitted with microbial keratitis at the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, Melbourne, between January 1998 and December 2008 was undertaken. Methods: Patients were categorized in 2 groups, "sutures present" and "sutures absent." Main parameters evaluated were clinical and microbiological profile and treatment outcome. Results: One hundred and twenty-two episodes of microbial keratitis were noted in 101 patients: 71 (58.2%) with sutures present and 51 (41.8%) with sutures absent. Overall, ..