Effect of Single and Paired Clear Corneal Incisions on Corneal Astigmatism in Phacoemulsification Surgery

Authors

Mohamed A. zahra, Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine for boys, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt.Follow
Ahmed M. Sakr, Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine for boys, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt.
Abdallah E. Shelil, Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine for boys, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt.

Document Type

Original Article

Abstract

Background: Astigmatism is a common visual disorder caused by an irregular curvature of the cornea. This can change the way light passes to the retina, causing blurry distorted vision. Unsatisfactory visual acuity following otherwise successful cataract surgery is commonly attributable to the development of postoperative astigmatism. Aim and objectives: To determine the effect of single and paired on-axis clear corneal incisions on preexisting corneal astigmatism during phacoemulsification. Subjects and methods: This was a descriptive interventional study conducted in Al-Hussien University hospital and Cairo Fatemic hospital (Cairo, Egypt) on 40 eyes with senile cataract which were divided into two groups: Group 1: 20 eyes with corneal astigmatism 1 - 2 diopters received single three step self-sealing corneal incision one millimeter anterior to the limbus using 2.8-millimeter keratome on the steep meridian. Group 2: 20 eyes with corneal astigmatism 2 diopters or more received paired opposite three step self-sealing corneal incision one millimeter anterior to the limbus. Result: The current study found that preoperative visual acuity varied from 0.05 to 0.50 in group A and from 0.05 to 0.50 in group B, whereas postoperative visual acuity varied among 0.6 and 1.0 in group A and from 0.6 to 0.9 in group B. The current study showed that steepest Meridien K Readings (preoperative) ranged from 41 to 48, in group A and ranged from 44 to 48, in group B, while (postoperative) ranged from 40 to 47.5 in group A and ranged from 41.8 to 46.4in group B. The astigmatism correction was statistically significantly higher in group B than group A. Conclusion: phacoemulsification, when correcting mild to moderate preexisting regular astigmatism during phacoemulsification, a pair of opposite CCIs on the steep axis is more efficient than a single CCI on the steep axis.

Keywords

Corneal Incisions; Corneal Astigmatism; Phacoemulsification Surgery.

Subject Area

Ophthalmology

How to Cite This Article

zahra, Mohamed A.; Sakr, Ahmed M.; and Shelil, Abdallah E. (2023) "Effect of Single and Paired Clear Corneal Incisions on Corneal Astigmatism in Phacoemulsification Surgery," Al-Azhar International Medical Journal: Vol. 4: Iss. 11, Article 11.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.58675/2682-339X.2094