Surgically induced astigmatism after phacoemulsification surgery

Purpose: To compare SIA after phacoemulsification surgery performed by two surgeons (TK and HC). Methods: This study comprised 68 eyes of 65 patients who underwent phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation between September 2012 - September 2013 at the Department of Ophthalmology, Adnan Menderes University School of Medicine. All surgeries were performed by two surgeons (TK, HC) and patients were divided into two groups according to the surgeons. In Group 1; 2,8 mm süperior limbal incisions (by TK) and in Group 2; 2,8 mm upper clear corneal incisions (by HC) were applied. Surgical techniques did not differ between the groups except the main incisions. All patients were performed detailed ophthalmological examination besides corneal topography at the postoperative 1th day, 1th week and 1th month. The preoperative and postoperative astigmatisms were calculated by vector analysis method and the SIA were compared between the groups. Results: The mean SIA values were 1,13±0,67 D, 0,89±0,47 D, 0,77±37 D in Group 1 and 1,42±0,62 D, 1,15±0,54 D, 0,94±0,47 D in Group 2 on the 1th day, 1th week and 1th month postoperatively, respectively. According to the vector analysis SIA was less in Group 1 than Group 2; although the difference was not statistically significant ( p>0.05). Conclusion: Although less astigmatism was detected in the süperior limbal incision group this difference was not statistically significant. Keywords: Cataract, phacoemulsification, surgically induced astigmatism