Results of penetrating keratoplasty using a double running suture technique.

The results of 84 consecutive penetrating keratoplasties in which a double running suture technique was used are presented herein. The second suture was smaller, looser, and more superficial than the first, causing less corneal distortion, thus allowing better visual acuity. The two sutures were removed at two and 12 months after transplantation. The visual acuities attained were almost as good at three months as at 13 months, and the graft curvature did not change notably from three to 12 months after keratoplasty. There were only two instances of postoperative wound dehiscence (2.4%). Thus, the double running suture technique allowed early visual rehabilitation without increasing the risk of corneal dehiscence from early suture removal.