title: Temporal versus superior approach phacoemulsification: short-term postoperative astigmatism.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare short-term clinical, postoperative astigmatism, and uncorrected visual acuity results 2 months after no-stitch phacoemulsification using a temporal clear corneal approach and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) intraocular lens (IOL) implantation through a 5.2 mm incision with those after no-stitch superior corneoscleral phacoemulsification.
  
  
  METHODS
  University Eye Clinic of Palermo, Italy.
  
  
  METHODS
  This prospective clinical trial comprised 80 patients with senile cataract who were randomly assigned to have phacoemulsification using a temporal approach or a superior approach. Surgically induced astigmatism (SIA) was calculated using Naeser's polar value method for determining with-the-rule (WTR) or against-the-rule (ATR) change.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a highly significant between-group difference in SIA at each examination (P < .001; t-test) because of positive (WTR) SIA in the temporal approach group and negative (ATR) SIA in the superior approach group. No other significant differences between groups were found (P < .05, t-test). More patients in the temporal group had an uncorrected visual acuity of 20/25 or better 2 weeks postoperatively, although the difference between groups was not statistically significant (P = .562; chi-square).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Phacoemulsification using a no-stitch, temporal, 5.2 mm clear corneal incision produced results comparable to those using a corneoscleral superior approach. A longer study of a larger series should be done to confirm the findings.
authors.affiliation: University Eye Clinic of Palermo, Italy.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cillino
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Morreale
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mauceri
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ajovalasit
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ponte
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001251:Astigmatism / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D003315:Cornea / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D015715:Corneal Edema / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007910:Lenses, Intraocular; D008297:Male; D008768:Methylmethacrylates; D008875:Middle Aged; D018918:Phacoemulsification / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013536:Suture Techniques; D014792:Visual Acuity
chemical_list: D008768:Methylmethacrylates