Changes in astigmatism after congenital cataract surgery and intraocular lens implantation using scleral tunnel incision.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the post-operative changes in astigmatism in pseudophakic eyes in children. Only eyes with astigmatism of 3.0 D or more were included in the study.


METHODS
The charts of children who had undergone surgery for non-traumatic cataract, using a scleral tunnel method were retrospectively reviewed. In 11 eyes with astigmatism of 3.0 D or more, the refraction was tested and recorded at 1 week, 3 months and 5 months post-operatively. The paired t-test was used to compare between the variables.


RESULTS
Mean astigmatism 1 week post-operatively was 5.8 +/- 3.6 D (range 3.0-14.0 D). Thereafter, the astigmatic component of the refractive error underwent a spontaneous steady decline, reaching a mean value of 2.1 +/- 1.3 D (range 1-4.0 D) 5 months after surgery. The change in the difference between the mean values at 1 week and at 5 months was statistically significant (P < 0.005).


CONCLUSIONS
Children who underwent congenital cataract surgery and intraocular lens implantation showed a significant spontaneous reduction in astigmatism post-operatively.
Spierer
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A
Goldschleger Eye Institute Sheba Medical Center Tel-Hashomer, Israel. spierera@post.tau.ac.il
Nahum
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A
D001251:Astigmatism / Q000209:etiology*; D002386:Cataract / Q000151:congenital*; D002387:Cataract Extraction / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D019654:Lens Implantation, Intraocular / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011184:Postoperative Period; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012590:Sclera / Q000601:surgery