The correlation between incision size and corneal shape changes in sutureless cataract surgery

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Corneal Surgery
• Visual Optics

Background:

• Sutureless cataract surgery offers advantages but potential corneal changes require investigation.
• Corneal topography is crucial for assessing refractive outcomes after ocular surgery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the relationship between surgical incision size and alterations in corneal shape.
• To assess the long-term effects of different incision sizes on corneal topography following sutureless cataract surgery.

Main Methods:

• A randomized study involving 200 eyes undergoing sutureless cataract surgery.
• Eyes were divided into three groups based on incision size: 3.2 mm, 4.0 mm, and 5.0 mm.
• Corneal topography was performed preoperatively and at multiple intervals up to 6 months post-surgery.

Main Results:

• The 3.2-mm incision group showed transient peripheral corneal flattening, with no significant changes after 1 month.
• The 4.0-mm incision group exhibited irregular central corneal steepening by 6 months.
• The 5.0-mm incision group demonstrated persistent central corneal steepening, extending to the upper cornea post-surgery.

Conclusions:

• Small (3.2 mm) incisions in sutureless cataract surgery result in minimal, reversible corneal shape changes.
• Larger incisions (4.0 mm and 5.0 mm) are associated with persistent, irregular central corneal steepening.
• Incision size is a critical factor influencing long-term corneal biomechanical stability and refractive predictability.