[Small incision cataract surgery: changes in postoperative astigmatism]

The course of postoperative astigmatism was studied in 2 groups of patients following phacoemulsification and IOL implantation. In the first group a soft posterior chamber lens (IOGEL, Alcon) was introduced through a 6.5 mm scleral pocket incision. In group 2 the IOGEL lens was implanted through a 3.5 mm incision using a new instrument. The patients in group 2 had lower postoperative astigmatism and achieved stable refraction significantly earlier than group 1 patients. Three weeks postoperatively changes in refraction were seen in only a few cases. The small-incision technique significantly accelerates the visual rehabilitation of cataract patients.