The Comparison of Astigmatism According to the Incision Size in Small Incision Cataract Surgery

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To compare surgically-induced corneal astigmatism after 3.0 mm-sized incision and 3.2~3.4 mm-sized extended incision in cataract surgery. METHODS: This study included 205 eyes of 202 patients having phacoemulsification with temporal clear corneal incision. The eyes were classified into 4 groups according to IOL type and incision size Group A, silicone IOL was inserted using the injector through 3.0 mm sized incision; Group B, silicone IOL was inserted using the injector through 3.2 mm sized incision; Group C, acrylic IOL was inserted using the forceps through 3.4 mm sized incision; and Group D, acrylic IOL was inserted using the injector through 3.2 mm sized incision. The uncorrected visual acuity, autorefractometry, and keratometry were taken preoperatively and at 1 week and 2 months postoperatively. RESULTS: Preoperatively, there was no significant difference between the 4 groups in preoperative astigmatism. On the seven operative day, there was significant difference between the 4 groups with one-way ANOVA test (P=.044), and between A and C, and between A and D with post-hoc tests (P<.05). There was no significant difference between the 4 groups at 2 months postoperatively (P=.945). On the seven operative day, there were significant differences between the 4 groups in surgically-induced corneal astigmatism with one-way ANOVA test (P=.009), and between A and C, and between A and D with post-hoc tests (P<.05). There was no significant difference between the 4 groups at 2 months postoperatively (P=.985). CONCLUSIONS: The 3.0 mm-sized clear corneal incision without extension induced early stabilization of surgically-induced corneal astigmatism and rapid visual rehabilitation.