OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of clear corneal incisions and opposite clear corneal incisions for correcting corneal astigmatism during phacoemulsification. METHODS:Twenty-nine patients (37 eyes) underwentphacoemulsification with foldable intraocular lens implantation through a 4.0 mm clear corneal tunnel. In the group 1 (28 eyes) the corneal tunnel incisions were placed on the steepest axis (pre-operative astigmatism >/ =1.5). In the group 2 (9 eyes) an additional penetrating incision (3.0 mm) was placed on the opposite side to enhance flattening effect (pre-operative astigmatism =1.5). Keratometry was done in all eyes on the day prior to surgery and on the first day, 2-3 weeks and 6 months post-operatively. RESULTS. After 6 months, the corneal astigmatism decreased from 0.96 D+/-0.03 to 0.78 D+/-0.06, p</=0.05 in the first group and from 2.23 D+/-0.21 to 1.56 D+/-0.18, p< or = p</0.05 in the second group. CONCLUSIONS: Clear corneal incision on the steepest axis has neutralizing effect on pre-operative astigmatism. Adding opposite clear corneal incisions can greatly enhance this flattening effect [corrected].
RCT Entities:
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of clear corneal incisions and opposite clear corneal incisions for correcting corneal astigmatism during phacoemulsification. METHODS: Twenty-nine patients (37 eyes) underwent phacoemulsification with foldable intraocular lens implantation through a 4.0 mm clear corneal tunnel. In the group 1 (28 eyes) the corneal tunnel incisions were placed on the steepest axis (pre-operative astigmatism >/ =1.5). In the group 2 (9 eyes) an additional penetrating incision (3.0 mm) was placed on the opposite side to enhance flattening effect (pre-operative astigmatism =1.5). Keratometry was done in all eyes on the day prior to surgery and on the first day, 2-3 weeks and 6 months post-operatively. RESULTS. After 6 months, the corneal astigmatism decreased from 0.96 D+/-0.03 to 0.78 D+/-0.06, p</=0.05 in the first group and from 2.23 D+/-0.21 to 1.56 D+/-0.18, p< or = p</0.05 in the second group. CONCLUSIONS: Clear corneal incision on the steepest axis has neutralizing effect on pre-operative astigmatism. Adding opposite clear corneal incisions can greatly enhance this flattening effect [corrected].