Comparison of the induced astigmatism after temporal clear corneal tunnel incisions of different sizes.

A prospective, randomized study compared the surgically induced astigmatism after 3.5 mm, 4.0 mm, and 5.0 mm temporal corneal tunnel incisions over six months. We studied 60 eyes of 60 patients who had phacoemulsification through a two-step clear corneal tunnel incision and implantation of one of three posterior chamber intraocular lenses (IOLs). Patients were divided into three groups of 20 each: Group A, cartridge injection of a foldable plate-haptic silicone IOL through a 3.5 mm self-sealing incision; Group B, cartridge injection of a disc silicone IOL through a 4.0 mm self-sealing incision; Group C, 5.0 mm optic poly(methyl methacrylate) IOL through a 5.0 mm incision with one radial suture. Corneal topography data were obtained using a computerized videokeratographic analysis system preoperatively and one week and six months postoperatively. Vector analysis was performed to calculate the surgically induced astigmatism. After the first postoperative week, mean induced astigmatism was 0.63 diopters (D) (+/- 0.41) in Group A, 0.64 D (+/- 0.35) in Group B, and 0.91 D (+/- 0.77) in Group C. After six months, it was 0.37 D (+/- 0.14) in Group A, 0.56 D (+/- 0.34) in Group B, and 0.70 D (+/- 0.50) in Group C. Surgically induced astigmatism was significantly lower in Group A than in Group B (P < .05) and Group C (P < .005) after six months. Vector analysis demonstrated that temporal corneal tunnel incisions induced clinically minimal astigmatism over six months postoperatively depending on incision size.