Corneal Posterior Curvature Changes After Phacoemulsification Cataract Surgery with 2.75 mm Corneal Incision

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Corneal Surgery
• Cataract Surgery

Background:

• Phacoemulsification with intraocular lens implantation is a common cataract surgery technique.
• Small-incision cataract surgery aims to minimize corneal trauma and astigmatic changes.
• The impact of specific incision sizes and types on posterior corneal curvature requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate changes in posterior corneal curvature after phacoemulsification cataract surgery.
• To assess the effect of a 2.75 mm temporal limbal self-sealing incision on corneal tomography parameters.
• To determine if this specific surgical approach induces significant alterations in posterior corneal astigmatism.

Main Methods:

• Prospective intervention study involving 56 patients (56 eyes).
• Corneal tomography performed using the Galilei G2 device preoperatively and at 2 weeks, 1 month, and 3 months postoperatively.
• Analysis of posterior corneal curvature parameters: steep curvature (K2), flat curvature (K1), mean curvature (average K), and posterior corneal astigmatism.

Main Results:

• No statistically significant changes were observed in K2, K1, average K, or posterior corneal astigmatism at any postoperative follow-up point (2 weeks, 1 month, 3 months).
• Postoperative tomographic values closely resembled preoperative measurements.
• The 2.75 mm temporal limbal self-sealing incision demonstrated stability in posterior corneal curvature.

Conclusions:

• A 2.75 mm temporal limbal self-sealing corneal incision used in phacoemulsification cataract surgery does not induce significant changes in posterior corneal curvature.
• This surgical technique appears to maintain the integrity of posterior corneal topography.
• The findings suggest that this specific incision type is safe regarding posterior corneal astigmatism induction.