Keratometric Changes after Scleral Tunnel and Clear Cornea Incisions of Cataract Surgery

Abstract

Keratometric Changes after Scleral Tunnel and Clear Cornea Incisions of Cataract Surgery

Vichai    Hanbunchong     MD

Department of Ophthalmology, BMA Medical College and Vajira Hospital

Objective : To compare the postoperative keratometric changes after sclera tunnel and clear cornea incisions

Study design : Experimental design.

Subjects : Two hundred cataract patients were studied from March 1998 to December 1999 at the Department of Ophthalmology, BMA Medical College and Vajira Hospital.

Methods : Two hundred cataract patients were randomized to two groups : scleral tunnel incision (100 patients), and clear cornea incision (100 patients). Comparative study of the postoperative keratometric changes of two incisions were recorded at 12 weeks postoperation.

Main outcome measures : Postoperative keratometric changes were measured.

Results : The polar values of the postoperative keratometric change of sclera tunnel incision group were in the range of -0.01 to -0.50 (69 patients), -0.51 to -1.00 (30 patients), 0.00 to -0.00 (1 patients), and the polar values of clear cornea incision group were in the range of -0.01 to-0.50 (35 patients), -0.51 to -1.00 (36 patients), -1.01 to -2.00 (29 patients) respectively. Mean polar value of sclera tunnel group and clear cornea group were -0.38 + 0.23 and -0.76 + 0.47 respectively with statistically significant significant difference (p = 0.01).

Conclusion : There were more postoperative keratometric changes in the clear cornea incision group than in the sclera tunnel incision group.

Key words : cataract, postoperative keratometric change, small incision

Vajira Med J 2002 ; 46 : 1 - 7