Corneal topographic changes and induced astigmatism resulting from superior and temporal scleral pocket incisions.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the corneal topographic changes that are induced by superior and temporal 5-mm scleral pocket incisions.


METHODS
The authors retrospectively reviewed the records of 43 patients who underwent phacoemulsification with posterior chamber lens implantation through unsutured 5-mm scleral pocket incisions, 24 superiorly and 19 temporally. Corneal curvature was measured using computerized videokeratography, and the induced astigmatism was calculated with the Holladay-Cravy-Koch formula.


RESULTS
At 4 to 6 weeks, postoperatively there was mild flattening along with the meridian of the incision in both groups. The change was greater with the superior incisions, but the differences between the groups were not statistically significant. Surgically induced astigmatism was 0.7 D (+/-0.1 D) in the eyes that received superior incisions, and 0.3 D (+/-0.1 D) in the eyes that received temporal incisions; this difference was statistically significant (P < .03).


CONCLUSIONS
At 4 to 6 weeks postoperatively, temporal 5.0-mm scleral pocket incisions provide more stable postoperative topography than do superior scleral pocket incisions.
Kohnen
T
T
Cullen Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
Mann
P M
PM
Husain
S E
SE
Abarca
A
A
Koch
D D
DD
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001251:Astigmatism / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D003315:Cornea / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008875:Middle Aged; D018918:Phacoemulsification / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012590:Sclera / Q000601:surgery*