Is pseudophakic astigmatism a desirable goal?
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether pseudophakic astigmatism is a desirable goal, and if so, which one is better: against-the-rule (ATR) or with-the-rule (WTR).


METHODS
Eyes were included only if they had an uncorrected vision > or = 6/18 and N/18. Three groups, of 40 patients each were evaluated: group 1, pseudophakes with neutral astigmatism; group 2, with ATR and group 3, with WTR astigmatism Unaided distance and near visual acuity was recorded. Statistical analysis was performed using the chi-square test for independence.


RESULTS
Unaided distance vision of > or = 6/7.5 was achieved in 19 eyes (47.5%) of group 1 (neutral), 12 eyes (30%) in group 2 (ATR), and 5 eyes (12.5%) in group 3 (WTR) (p = 0.0133, significant). Unaided near vision of > or = N/9 was achieved in 17 eyes (42.5%) in group 1 (neutral), 34 eyes (85%) in group 2 (ATR), and 10 eyes (25%) in group 3 (WTR) (P < 0.001, significant). Group 1 (neutral) fared the best for unaided distance visual acuity. Group 2 (ATR) was better than in group 3 (WTR) for distant vision. Group 2 (ATR) fared the best for unaided near vision.


CONCLUSIONS
ATR astigmatism could be a desirable goal after cataract extraction in selected populations because the largest proportion of these cases achieved good unaided near vision with acceptable distant vision.
Nagpal
K M
KM
Iladevi Cataract and IOL Research Centre, Raghudeep Eye Clinic, Ahmedabad, India.
Desai
C
C
Trivedi
R H
RH
Vasavada
A R
AR
D001251:Astigmatism / Q000150:complications* / Q000209:etiology; D002387:Cataract Extraction / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D019654:Lens Implantation, Intraocular / Q000009:adverse effects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D019591:Pseudophakia / Q000150:complications*; D012029:Refraction, Ocular; D014792:Visual Acuity