[Lamelliform incision for opening the anterior chamber in cataract extraction]

A technique of opening the anterior chamber by a 1.0 to 1.5 mm large scleral lamella was developed in an attempt to reduce postoperative astigmatism after cataract surgery. In a series of 483 eyes in which cataract extraction was performed by six surgeons, this technique was compared with the usual corneoscleral incision. Experienced surgeons generally achieved lower or equal rates of postoperative astigmatism with the scleral lamella incision, whereas less experienced surgeons caused higher rates of astigmatism with the scleral lamella and lower ones with the corneoscleral incision. No differences were found between the two techniques as regards the directions of the axis of postoperative astigmatism.