Corneal astigmatism after clear corneal and corneoscleral incisions for cataract surgery.

PURPOSE

To compare the astigmatism induced by clear corneal incisions (CCIs) and corneoscleral tunnel incisions (CSIs) for cataract surgery over 6 months.

SETTING

Rotterdam Eye Hospital, rotterdam, The Netherlands.

METHODS

Thirty-five patients having phacoemulsification were recruited prospectively; 15 had CCIs and 20, CSIs. Corneal topography was performed by computerized videokeratoscopy preoperatively and 6 months postoperatively. The change in keratometric astigmatism was calculated using the absolute magnitude and vector analysis methods.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference between the change in astigmatism produced by the two incisions (Student's t-test).

CONCLUSION

The CCI for cataract surgery did not produce significantly greater astigmatism than the CSI. Concern over CCIs having a greater risk of increasing corneal astigmatism is unfounded and does not justify withholding the technique from patients it could benefit.