Three Methods for Correction of Astigmatism during Phacoemulsification.

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Surgical Innovation
• Vision Correction

Background:

• Astigmatism is a common refractive error affecting visual acuity.
• Phacoemulsification is a standard cataract surgery technique.
• Effective astigmatism correction during cataract surgery improves visual outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the safety and efficacy of three distinct methods for correcting pre-existing astigmatism during phacoemulsification.
• Evaluate limbal relaxing incisions (LRI), extended-on-axis incisions (EOAI), and toric intraocular lens (tIOL) implantation.

Main Methods:

• Prospective, comparative, non-randomized study involving 72 patients with astigmatism (≥1.25 D).
• Astigmatism correction utilized LRI, EOAI, or tIOL implantation.
• Keratometric and refractive astigmatism were assessed at 1, 8, and 24 weeks post-surgery.

Main Results:

• All three methods significantly improved uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA).
• No significant difference in astigmatism reduction or success index was observed between groups at 24 weeks.
• tIOL group showed significantly better UDVA than EOAI group at week 24.

Conclusions:

• Limbal relaxing incisions, extended-on-axis incisions, and toric intraocular lenses are effective for astigmatism correction during phacoemulsification.
• No significant difference in efficacy among these three methods for astigmatism reduction.
• The choice of method can be left to the surgeon's discretion.