Intraoperative keratometry with the oval comparator (astigmometer).

The Astigmometer is a simple accessory which is attached to a surgical microscope. It allows precise suturing of the cataract wound and reduced the amount of postoperative astigmatism at six weeks. This allowed rapid visual rehabilitation and more active patients. It obviated the removal of sutures in the postoperative period in most patients (90%). However, stable results after one year were obtained with selective suture cutting without the use of intraoperative keratometry. This was almost as good as in the astigmometer group, but the percentage of astigmatism less than 1 dioptre was reduced and that greater than 2 dioptres was increased.