Changes of Astigmatism and Visual Rehabilitation Following Small Incision Cataract Surgery and Implantation with Silicone or PMMA Intraocular Lenses

ABSTRACT

We analyzed early postoperative astigmatic changes, visual rehabilitation and complications with silicone intraocular lenses implanted through 3.2mm scleral pocket incision (group I. 68 eyes) and PMMA intraocular lenses implanted through 5.5mm scleral pocket incision(group 2. 103 eyes). Surgically induced astigmatism in group 1 was -0.17D at two days, -0.12D at one week, and -0.51D at two months. In group 2, it was -0.36D at two days, -0.46D at one week, and -0.72D at two months. There was a statistically significant difference between the two groups at 2 days and 1 week (p0.05). 0.5 or better uncorrected visual acuity in group I was 74% at 2 weeks, 87% at 2 months while in group 2, it was 69% at 2 weeks, and 77% at 2 months. Postoperative complication in group I were two cases of IOL decentration(2.9%), two cases of anterior capsule contraction (2.9%), three cases of anterior chamber inflammation (4.4%), and two cases of posterior capsule opacity (2.9%). In group two, it were one case of hyphema (1%), one case of wound dehiscence (1%) , one case of anterior chamber inflammation (1%), and seven cases of posterior capsule opacity (6.8%). Our results indicate the 3.2mm scleral tunnel incision (group 1) was associated with a lower surgically induce astigmatism at 2 days and 1 week, and 8 faster visual rehabilitation than 5.5mm scleral tunnel incision (group 2), but anterior chamber inflainmation, anterior capsule contraction and IOL decentrations were more frequently developed in group 1.