Corneal topographic changes after phacoemulsification through steep axis incision

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of 5.5 mm sutured and 4.0 mm sutureless corneal incisions after phacoemulsification on corneal topograpy. Material and methods: Twenty eyes of 20 patients that underwent phacoemulsification with IOL implantation were randomly divided into two. The first group received a PMMA IOL through a sutured 5.5 mm corneal incision. The second group received a foldable hydrophilic acrylic IOL through a sutureless 4.0 mm incision. Complete ocular examination and computerized corneal topography (Keratron Corneal Analyzer, Software version 3.2, Optikon 2000, Italy) were performed preoperatively, at 1 week, and 1 month postoperatively. The Maloney indices [best fit sphere (BFS), best fit cylinder (BFC) and topographic irregularity (TI)] were provided by the Keratron Corneal Analyzer. Results: There was no statistically significant difference in the mean BFS between the groups preoperatively (p = 0.305) at postoperative week 1 (p = 0.362) and at postoperative month 1 (p = 0.160). The BFC was significantly higher in the 5.5 mm incision group than in the 4.0 mm incision group preoperatively (p = 0.025), however, there was no statistically significant difference between the groups at postoperative week 1 (p = 0.909), and at postoperative month 1 (p = 0.382). There was no statistically significant difference in the mean TI between the groups preoperatively (p = 0.494) and at postoperative week 1 (p = 0.271). However the mean TI at postoperative month 1 was significantly higher in the 5.5 mm incision group than the 4.0 mm incision group (p = 0.05). Conclusion: The 5.5 mm sutured incisions caused an increase in TI at 1 week and 1 month postoperatively. For a more rapid visual rehabilitation, 4.0 mm sutureless incisions are recommended. © 2004 Kluwer Academic Publishers.