Prospective evaluation of early visual and refractive effects with small clear corneal incision for cataract surgery.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the early postoperative visual and refractive effects of a 3.25 mm clear corneal self-sealing incision with foldable intraocular lens implantation.


METHODS
The Eye Institute of Utah, Salt Lake City.


METHODS
Visual acuity and refraction in 50 eyes of 50 consecutive patients having clear corneal phacoemulsification were prospectively evaluated at 30 minutes, 1 day, 1 week, and 1 and 3 months postoperatively.


RESULTS
Uncorrected visual acuity of 20/40 or better was obtained in 38% of eyes 30 minutes after surgery, 52% at 1 day, and 89% at 3 months. There was no significant refractive cylinder change (P = .093). Visual rehabilitation and refractive stability were rapid, and induced astigmatism was low. A strong positive correlation was found between refraction at 30 minutes and that at 3 months after surgery (R = .5788, P = .0003). The visual and refractive examination performed 30 minutes after surgery could help early detection of incorrect IOL power selection.


CONCLUSIONS
The low induced astigmatism, excellent early visual acuity, and lack of surgical complications support the concept and justify the use of small temporal corneal incisions for cataract surgery.
Lyle
W A
WA
Eye Institute of Utah, Salt Lake City 84107, USA.
Jin
G J
GJ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003315:Cornea / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007910:Lenses, Intraocular; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018918:Phacoemulsification / Q000379:methods*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012029:Refraction, Ocular / Q000502:physiology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology*