Prevalence of corneal astigmatism in patients undergoing cataract surgery in India

Corneal astigmatism is common among patients presenting for cataract surgery. Hence, understanding its pattern is essential for optimal surgical planning and visual outcomes. This study investigated the prevalence, type, and severity of corneal astigmatism in 320 cataract surgery candidates aged 40 years and above at RIO, RIMS, Ranchi, India. Automated keratometry and corneal topography were used to classify astigmatism by orientation and magnitude. Corneal astigmatism was present in 89.4% of patients, with 68.1% showing clinically significant levels (≥1.0 D), most commonly with-the-rule astigmatism, followed by against-the-rule and oblique types. These findings highlight the importance of thorough preoperative astigmatism assessment and appropriate corrective planning to ensure optimal postoperative visual outcomes.