Changes of Astigmatism after Sutureless Cataract Surgery Through 3.2mm and 5.1mm Incisions

ABSTRACT

To evaluate the changes of surgically induced astigmatism in sutureless small incision cataract surgeries, we divided our cases into two groups. In group 1 (38 eyes), we performed phacoemulsification and implanted foldable silicone intraocular lenses (IOLs) through 3.2mm clear corneal incisions. In group 2 (30 eyes), we did phacoemulsification and implanted PMMA IOLs through 5.1mm scleral tunnel incisions. We analyzed the early postoperative astigmatism in two groups. The average surgically induced astigmatism in group 1 was 0.1D at one day, 0.36D at six months. In group 2, it was 0.6D at one day, and 0.36D six months after surgery. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups(p>0.05). In the superior incision cases, the average surgically induced astigmatism in group 1 was 0.47D against the rule(-0.47D) at one day, -0.07D at six months. In group 2, it was 0.42D at one day, 0.44D six months after surgery. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups(p>0.05). In the temporal incision cases, the mean surgically induced astigmatism in group 1 was 0.31D at one day, 0.59D at six months. In group 2, it was 0.83D at one day, 0.24D six months postoperatively. Also, there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups(p>0.05). Percentages of uncorrected visual acuity above 0.5 reached over 90% in group 1 at one month postoperatively, and in group 2 at two months postoperatively. In conclusion, both the 3.2mm clear corneal incision group and the 5.1mm scleral tunnel incision group revealed good visual rehabilitation in early postoperative period and their mean surgically induced astigmatism was not statistically significant.