European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

Surgically induced astigmatism (SIA) is a major obstacle in achieving good UCVA following cataract surgery. The size, location and architecture of the incision are considered very important for postoperative astigmatism. We aimed to compare the surgically induced astigmatism after phacoemulsification by temporal clear corneal versus superior clear corneal approach.
Methods: This was a prospective, randomized, interventional, parallel-group study that included 112 eyes of 112 senile cataract patients, undergoing phacoemulsification with foldable acrylic IOL implantation through an un-sutured 2.8 mm clear corneal incision at Ophthalmology department of Government Medical College Patiala, from February 2022 to July 2022. Patients were randomized into 2 groups: Group 1 underwent temporal incision phacoemulsification and Group 2 underwent superior incision phacoemulsification. Complete ophthalmological examination was done preoperatively and postoperatively after 7 days, 4 weeks and 6 weeks, including manifest refraction using an auto-refractometer and Snellen chart.
Results: The mean age of all participants was 59.09±12.8 (males vs. females; p=0.31). The mean preoperative astigmatism in all participants was 0.67 ± 0.39 (temporal vs superior incision; p=0.66) and at 6 weeks 0.87 ± 0.64 (temporal vs superior incision; p=0.21). Surgically induced astigmatism was found to be 0.73 ± 0.56 in temporal incision and 0.91 ± 0.36 in superior incision (p=0.04).
Conclusion: 2.8 mm clear corneal temporal incision phacoemulsification surgery causes less surgically induced astigmatism and mean total astigmatism as compared to 2.8 mm clear corneal superior incision phacoemulsification surgery