Control of postoperative astigmatism.

The surgical technique of wound opening and closure for planned extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE) and posterior chamber lens implantation is described and the final postoperative corneal astigmatism is analysed and discussed. A prospective study of 720 cases divided into 2 groups was undertaken; Group I using the Terry surgical keratometer and Group II not using the Terry Keratometer. Out of 3 surgeons, only one had statistically significant lower K-readings in the early and late postoperative periods in Group I compared to Group II. The percentage of cases with final corneal astigmatism of 2 diopters or less in the early and late postoperative period is higher in Group I than in Group II. The factors influencing final postoperative corneal astigmatism are discussed.