[Phacoemulsification with foldable intraocular lens implantation through a limbus tunnel incision].

OBJECTIVE

To advance and evaluate the technique and therapeutic effects of phacoemulsification with foldable intraocular lens implantation through a limbus tunnel incision.

METHODS

The surgery was performed through a 3.2 limbus tunnel incision on 110 eyes of 103 patients with senile, complicated, congenital and traumatic cataracts.

RESULTS

Postoperatively, the visual acuities with spherical correction or without correction were 0.5 or better in 90.0% of the eyes at one day, and 1.0 or better in 42.5%, 63.7% and 68.0% at one week, one month and three months respectively. The mean postoperative astigmatism was (1.00 +/- 0.68) D at one week and only 0.07D more than the mean preoperative one (P > 0.05). There was also no statistical difference between the mean preoperative astigmatism and postoperative astigmatism at one and three months, which were respectively (0.91 +/- 0.55) D and (0.83 +/- 0.57) D. The mean postoperative astigmatism was almost the same as compared between the scleral tunnel incision and clear corneal incision groups.

CONCLUSION

The phacoemulsification with foldable intraocular lens implantation through a limbus tunnel incision can reduce postoperative astigmatism and shorten the period of visual rehabilitation as the operation through a scleral tunnel or a clear corneal incision, and in the mean time the former method can overcome the shortages of the latter two methods.