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Incision sizes at different stages of phacoemulsification with foldable intraocular lens implantation
Cesar Ramon G Espiritu1, Juanchito P Bernardo
1The American Eye Center, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City 1554, Philippines.
Purpose:
To evaluate incision sizes during different stages of phacoemulsification and after implantation of a foldable acrylic intraocular lens (IOL).
Setting:
Private eye center, Manila, Philippines.
Methods:
In this prospective observational case series, incision widths were measured before and after microcoaxial phacoemulsification (2.2 mm), after cortical removal, and after implantation of a 6.0 mm optic, foldable, single-piece aspheric hydrophobic acrylic IOL using a D cartridge and a Monarch III injector.
Results:
The incision width increased in 101 (93.5%) of the 108 eyes; the enlargement was 0.1 mm in 78 eyes (77.2%) and 0.2 mm in 23 eyes (22.8%). The final incision width was 2.3 mm in 78 eyes (72.2%), 2.2 mm in 27 eyes (25.0%), 2.1 mm in 2 eyes, and 2.4 mm in 1 eye. Enlargement occurred during phacoemulsification in 39 eyes, during cortical removal in 33 eyes, and during IOL implantation in 52 eyes; 23 eyes had more than 1 enlargement. Before IOL implantation, the incision was smaller than 2.2 mm in 76 eyes (70.4%); after IOL implantation, the incision increased to 2.3 mm in 47 eyes (61.8%). Thirty-two eyes (29.6%) had a 2.3 mm incision before IOL implantation; the incision increased further (by 0.1 mm) after IOL implantation in 1 eye.
Conclusions:
Incision enlargement occurred at different stages of phacoemulsification, mostly during IOL implantation. More than 72% of eyes had a final incision of 2.3 mm. Beginning with a 2.3 mm incision may prevent wound tears and surface irregularities.
