Biaxial microincision cataract surgery versus conventional coaxial cataract surgery: metaanalysis of randomized controlled trials.

UNLABELLED: A comprehensive literature search of Cochrane Library, PubMed, and Embase was performed to identify relevant prospective randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing biaxial microincision cataract surgery (MICS) and conventional coaxial phacoemulsification. A metaanalysis was performed on the following outcome measures: effective phacoemulsification time (EPT), phacoemulsification power (%), corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), surgically induced astigmatism (SIA), laser flare photometry value, percentage of endothelial cell loss, change in central corneal thickness (CCT), and complications. Eleven RCTs describing a total of 1064 eyes were identified. There were no significant differences between the techniques in CDVA, mean percentage of endothelial cell loss, laser flare photometry value, CCT change, and intraoperative and postoperative complications. However, EPT was statistically significantly shorter and the mean phaco power was statistically significantly lower in the biaxial group than in the coaxial group, and biaxial MICS induced less SIA. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE: No author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.