Corneal Curvature Changes in 5.5 mm. Sutureless Temperal Clear Cornea Incision with Phacoemulsification

Abstract

This is prospective study of 45 patients underwent temporal clear cornea incision for phacoemulsification and 5.5 mm. PMMA IOL implantation between March 2001 - July 2001. All eyes had surgery under retrobulbar block. Size of the incision was 3.00 mm. for phacoemulsification and was enlarged to 5.5 mm. Keratometric reading were done pre-operative and postoperative at 1 week and 1 month. Result revealed that corneal curvature changes were statistically singnilicant (P< 0.05) in both vertical and horizontal axes. The astigmatic changes alter 1 week had mean at 0.75 D. (with the rule 73.3%, neutral 13.3% and against the rule 13.3%), after 1 month follow up had mean at 0.79 D. (with the rule, 82.2% and against the rule 17.8%). This study is helpful for the surgeon to consider the pre-operative astigmatism when selects the location and type of incision for better surgical outcome.