Comparison of preoperative and postoperative corneal astigmatism after phacoemulsification through a 2.8mm clear corneal temporal incision

Abstract

Introduction: Phacoemulsification with foldable intraocular lens implantation through clear corneal incision has become common surgical approach for cataract surgery because it produces minimal surgically induced astigmatism and provides best postoperative visual acuity. This study thus aims to compare the preoperative and postoperative corneal astigmatism and to compare the postoperative change in keratometric astigmatism between right and left eyes after temporal 2.8 mm clear corneal incision phacoemulsification cataract surgery and implantation of foldable intraocular lenses.

Methods: A prospective study included 31 patients with bilateral senile cataract who had undergone sutureless, 2.8mm clear corneal incision phacoemulsification cataract surgery with foldable intraocular lens implantation. Keratometry was recorded preoperatively and weeks postoperatively using Nidek automated keratometry. A paired sample t-test was performed to compare the preoperative and postoperative corneal astigmatism.

Results: Mean age of the population was 63.39 plus/minus 9.705 years (range: 49 to 83 years). Before surgery, mean corneal astigmatism in right and left eye was 0.92 plus/minus 0.58 * D and 0.85 plus/minus 0.61 * D respectively. After the surgery, mean astigmatism in right eye was 0.97 plus/minus 0.51 * D and in left eye was 0.97 plus/minus 0.48 * D There was no statistically significant difference in preoperative and postoperative keratometric astigmatism of both eyes. (RE: p-valve 0.427; LE: p-valve 0.188)

Conclusion: Temporal clear corneal incision is quite stable and has minimal effect to corneal astigmatism.