Abstract
Purpose: :
Modern small incision phacoemulsification cataract surgery aims to minimize surgical induced refractive changes, in particular, astigmatism. Our aim is to analyse refractive stability at 1 week, 2 weeks and 6 weeks post surgery in a sample of uncomplicated phacoemulsification procedures, using a sutureless 3mm superior clear corneal incision.
Methods: :
A total of 68 patients who had phacoemulsification surgery during a 3 month period were included. Exclusion criteria of non superior wound site, intraoperative complication including posterior capsule rupture, wound suturing and failure to attend for follow up. All surgery was performed by 2 surgeons using the same incision technique. A full subjective refraction was carried out by a qualified optometrist at 1 week, 2 weeks and 6 weeks post op.
Results: :
The results show that between 2 and 6 weeks post operatively there is no significant change in cylindrical refraction (mean 0.81 p=0.42). However the same cylindrical power analysis between 1 and 2 weeks shows significant difference (1.67 p=0.011). By vector analysis there is no significant change in overall refraction between 2 and 6 weeks post operatively, with the mean refractive change being -0.07/-0.06x26.45.
Keywords: small incision cataract surgery • refraction • cornea: clinical science