Corneal topographic changes induced by different oblique cataract incisions

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Corneal Surgery
• Cataract Surgery

Background:

• Cataract surgery involves incisions that can induce astigmatism.
• Different incision types and sizes may impact postoperative astigmatism and corneal topography.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the astigmatic and topographic changes induced by different oblique cataract incisions.
• Evaluate the impact of 3.5 mm clear corneal incision (CCI), 5.5 mm sutured CCI, and 5.5 mm scleral tunnel on surgically induced astigmatism (SIA).

Main Methods:

• 168 eyes undergoing phacoemulsification were randomized into three groups: 3.5 mm CCI, 5.5 mm sutured CCI, and 5.5 mm scleral tunnel.
• Corneal topography was performed preoperatively and at 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months postoperatively.
• Surgically induced astigmatism (SIA) and topographic changes were calculated and compared between groups.

Main Results:

• The 5.5 mm CCI group showed significantly higher SIA (1.74 D) compared to the 3.5 mm CCI (0.68 D) and scleral tunnel (0.46 D) groups at 3 months.
• All incision types caused wound-related flattening and steepening.
• The 5.5 mm CCI group exhibited significantly greater topographic changes than the scleral tunnel group.

Conclusions:

• The 5.5 mm CCI induces significantly higher postoperative astigmatism, SIA, and topographic changes.
• Scleral tunnel incisions resulted in the lowest SIA and topographic alterations.
• Corneal anatomic structure may influence SIA axis orientation and topographic modifications between eyes.