[Asymmetric corneal tunnel incision for routine phacoemulsification and lens implantation].
This study was designed to investigate whether it is possible to improve wound stability and reduce induced astigmatism of a linear corneal tunnel incision for the implantation of foldable intraocular lenses by radializing wound components.


METHODS
A 4.1-mm linear and a 2.5 x 2.5-mm L-shaped corneal tunnel incision were compared in 60 and 59 patients, respectively.


RESULTS
Complications and induced astigmatism (vector analysis) were significantly less in the L-shaped incision group than in the linear incision group (0.62 +/- 0.53 D vs. 0.84 +/- 0.75 D after 3 months).


CONCLUSIONS
An L-shaped incision seems to be superior to the conventional linear type.
Hennekes
R
R
Universitäts-Augenklinik, Brüssel.
D001251:Astigmatism / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D003315:Cornea / Q000601:surgery; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D019654:Lens Implantation, Intraocular / Q000379:methods*; D018918:Phacoemulsification / Q000379:methods*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology