Correlation between intraoperative and early postoperative keratometry

A study to determine the correlation between intraoperative quantitative keratometry and one day postoperative office keratometry was performed. Prior reports have failed to demonstrate a positive statistical relationship between surgical and postoperative keratometry, weakening the value of quantitative intraoperative keratometry. Careful control of variables at surgery, however, can allow for positive keratometric correlation. The data of the present study revealed no statistical difference between intraoperative and one day postoperative corneal astigmatism when intraocular pressure was established at a standard physiologic level prior to final suture closure of the scleral pocket wound. When intraocular pressure was not controlled at the time of wound closure, intraoperative and postoperative corneal cylinder were statistically dissimilar. Operative quantitative keratometry, performed with tight control of variables, appears to play a vital role in reducing iatrogenic cylinder in the early postoperative phase of cataract rehabilitation.