[Correction of corneal astigmatism during phacoemulsification].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effectiveness of clear corneal incisions and opposite clear corneal incisions for correcting corneal astigmatism during phacoemulsification.


METHODS
Twenty-nine patients (37 eyes) underwent phacoemulsification with foldable intraocular lens implantation through a 4.0 mm clear corneal tunnel. In the group 1 (28 eyes) the corneal tunnel incisions were placed on the steepest axis (pre-operative astigmatism >/ =1.5). In the group 2 (9 eyes) an additional penetrating incision (3.0 mm) was placed on the opposite side to enhance flattening effect (pre-operative astigmatism =1.5). Keratometry was done in all eyes on the day prior to surgery and on the first day, 2-3 weeks and 6 months post-operatively. RESULTS. After 6 months, the corneal astigmatism decreased from 0.96 D+/-0.03 to 0.78 D+/-0.06, p</=0.05 in the first group and from 2.23 D+/-0.21 to 1.56 D+/-0.18, p< or = p</0.05 in the second group.


CONCLUSIONS
Clear corneal incision on the steepest axis has neutralizing effect on pre-operative astigmatism. Adding opposite clear corneal incisions can greatly enhance this flattening effect [corrected].
Zemaitiene
Reda
R
Eye Clinic, Kaunas University of Medicine, Eiveniu 2, 3007 Kaunas, Lithuania. redazem@centras.lt
Jasinskas
Vytautas
V
Januleviciene
Ingrida
I
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001251:Astigmatism / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D003315:Cornea / Q000601:surgery*; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D019654:Lens Implantation, Intraocular; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018918:Phacoemulsification; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012737:Sex Factors; D013997:Time Factors