Double safe suture during cataract surgery on post radial keratotomy patients using clear corneal incisions

Purpose the aim of this study is to find a safer surgical approach in cataract surgery on eyes previously treated with radial keratotomy using clear corneal incisions. Setting Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, Ophthalmology Clinic, University of Messina, Messina, Italy. Design Prospective study. Methods A prospective study was conducted on a group of 20 patients, 21 eyes with 16 RK incisions were evaluated for cataract phacoemulsification. Samples were divided into two groups: Group 1 underwent surgery with pre-operative one corneal stitch along radial keratotomy incisions near the main access site whereas Group 2 underwent modified surgery with two corneal stitches. Results After surgery, visual acuity, corneal hysteresis and corneal strength was evaluated. In all cases, an increased visual acuity was observed. Group 1 showed an UCVA of logMAR 0.22 +/- 0.14, while group 2 presented a logMAR of 0.1 +/- 0.07. Data did not show a statistically significant difference in UCVA after surgery between the two groups (P = 0.133). Instead, a significant difference in corneal hysteresis (CH), respectively with values of 8.65 +/- 1.6 mmHg in group 1 and 9.2 +/- 1.8 in group 2 (P = 0.031), and a corneal resistance factor (CRF) with values of 7.87 +/- 1.4 mmHg in the first group and 8.65 +/- 1.6 mmHg in the second one (P = 0.039) was observed. Conclusions Double safe suture technique offers better stabilization of corneal structure during surgery in patients preventively treated with 16 incisions RK.