Comparision of Surgically Induced Astigmatism between Superior and Temporal Scleral Incision in Planned Extracapsular Cataract Extraction

ABSTRACT

Astigmatic change in planned extracapsular cataract extraction (P-ECCE) using temporal scleral incision (n=25 eyes) was compared for 2 months with that using superior scleral incision(n=19 eyes), retrospectively. The astigmatic change was analyzed using Naeser`s polar value. Surgically induced astigmatism induced by temporal scleral incision was 0.96+/-1.38D of with the rule(WTR), 2.35+/-1.36D (WTR), and 2.45+/-1.24(WTR) at 3 days, 2 weeks, and 2 months, respectively. In contrast, that induced by superior scleral incision was 2.29+/-2.30D(WTR), 0.76+/-2.39(WTR)and -0.95+/-1.88D of against the rule(ATR) at 3 days, 2 weeks, and 2 months, respectively. In another words, temporal scleral incision in P-ECCE induced WTR astigmatism as early as postoperative 3 days that incerased by 2 weeks and stabilized after 2 weeks, whereas superior scleral incision in P-ECCE induced a prominent WTR astigmatism as early as postoperative 3 days, that was converted to ATR astigmatism from 1 month and increased the change by 2 months. With this result, it was found that most cataract patients existing ATR astigmatism would be candidates for temporal incision in P-ECCE.