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[PREVALENCE OF ASTIGMATISM BEFORE ROUTINE CATARACT SURGERY: COMPARISON BETWEEN BEDOUIN AND JEWISH POPULATION IN
Boris Knyazer1, Chiya Barrett1, Avial Hadad1
1Department of Ophthalmology, Soroka University Medical Center and Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel.
Over 25% of patients undergoing cataract surgery have astigmatism greater than 1.5D. Significant ocular biometric differences exist between Bedouin and Jewish populations in Israel.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Corneal topography
- Biometry
Background:
- Corneal astigmatism is a common refractive error impacting visual acuity.
- Prevalence and characteristics of astigmatism can vary between ethnic groups.
- Cataract surgery outcomes can be influenced by pre-existing corneal astigmatism.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of corneal astigmatism in patients scheduled for cataract surgery.
- To compare ocular biometric parameters, including corneal astigmatism, between Jewish and Bedouin populations in southern Israel.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of biometric data collected via IOLMaster.
- Inclusion of patients undergoing cataract surgery at Soroka University Medical Center between 2015-2016.
- Comparison of axial length, keratometric values, and astigmatism between ethnic groups and genders.
Main Results:
- Mean corneal astigmatism was 1.20D ± 0.83; 28% of patients had astigmatism >1.5D.
- Bedouin patients exhibited shorter axial lengths (23.41mm vs. 23.67mm) and flatter corneas (p<0.01).
- Men had higher astigmatism (1.24D) than women (1.15D, p=0.04).
Conclusions:
- A significant proportion of cataract surgery patients present with moderate to high corneal astigmatism.
- Consideration of advanced intraocular lens (IOL) types and surgical techniques may benefit these patients.
- Statistically significant differences in ocular biometry were observed between the Bedouin and Jewish populations.
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