The CMGs offer information on the diagnosis and management of a range of conditions that present with varying frequency in primary and first contact care.
Post-operative suture breakage can occur following surgery, usually leaving a protruding thread end or knot. Patients may experience foreign body sensation, redness, photophobia, epiphora and reduced visual acuity. The condition can cause discharge, potentially purulent, if infected, corneal vascularisation changes and corneal infiltrate around sutures. This Clinical Management Guideline outlines the aetiology, signs and symptoms and evidence-based recommendations for diagnosing and treating post-operative suture breakage. It provides recommendations for non-pharmacological management and pharmacological treatment, and outlines when urgent or emergency referral may be appropriate.
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What is post-operative suture breakage?
It sometimes happens that, following surgery to the eye, a suture (stitch) breaks. If this happens, the eye can become uncomfortable and it may feel as if there is a piece of grit in the eye. The eye may also water excessively, become red, unduly sensitive to light and sometimes the vision is affected.
How is post-operative suture breakage managed?
Depending on the severity of the case, the optometrist will usually refer either the patient either urgently or as an emergency to the ophthalmologist, who will trim or remove the broken suture(s) or re-suture if necessary.