Astigmatism in Extracapsular Cataract Extraction with Posterior Chamber IOL Implantation

ABSTRACT

This investigation was undertaken to evaluate the natural and modified course of postoperative astigmatism, and to determine the stabilization time of refraction following extracapsular cataract extraction with posterior chamber IOL implantation. Among the patients who underwent extracapsular cataract extraction with posterior chamber IOL implantation performed by one surgeon(Kim) between April 1987 and August 1987, 46 patients who could be followed up over 6 months were included. The corneoscleral incision was closed with 7 to 8 interrupted 10/0 nylon monofilament sutures. In 10 eyes of 46 eyes the sutures were cut with a precut razor fragment under the operating microscope partially 6 weeks after operation or totally cut 2 months after operation. Our analysis demonstrated the following A. Cases in which the sutures were not cut(36 eyes). 1. The mean initial corneal astigmatism after operation was 6.931 +/- 1.445 diopters. 2. The mean final cylinder after operation was 1.43 +/- 0.458 diopters. 3. There was no significant relationship between the initial corneal astigmatism and the amount of final cylinder after operation(correlation coefficient=0.0466). 4. The mean of stabilization time of refraction after operation was 3.083 +/- 1.052 months. 5. The relationship between the initial corneal astigmatism and the time of stabilization of refraction after operation was significant(correlation coefficient=0.3466). B. Cases in which the sutures were cut(10 eyes). 1. In 40% of eyes the pre-and postoperative corneal astigmatism were the same, and in 80% of eyes the change was equal to or less than 0.75 diopters.