Postoperative shifts in pupil position following cataract surgery

This study investigated changes in pupil deviation after cataract surgery.

Single-center, retrospective observational study.

This single-center, retrospective observational study included 102 patients (204 eyes). Measurements were performed preoperatively and 1 month postoperatively using an optical interference axial length-measuring device. Pupil diameter, as well as the relative positions of the corneal center, pupil center, and visual axis, were analyzed.

Compared with the preoperative measurements, the average pupil diameter of the right eye changed significantly (3.252 ± 0.518 mm vs. 3.029 ± 0.490 mm; p < 0.01), while the horizontal deviation of the visual axis relative to the corneal center did not (0.337 ± 0.152 mm vs. 0.321 ± 0.154 mm). The position of the pupil center relative to the corneal center shifted nasally by 0.220 ± 0.111 mm preoperatively and 0.298 ± 0.120 mm postoperatively. Additionally, the visual axis relative to the pupil center shifted significantly, from 0.117 ± 0.162 mm preoperatively to 0.023 ± 0.144 mm postoperatively (p < 0.01). This indicated that the pupil center moved nasally. The left eyes displayed tendencies consistent with those observed in the right eyes.

After cataract surgery, the pupil center shifted nasally and moved closer to the visual axis, whereas the position of the corneal center relative to the visual axis remained essentially unchanged.