The Effect of Corneal Incision Size on Surgically Induced Astigmatism in Phacoemulsification Surgery

Purpose: To evaluate the effects of different corneal incision diameters and sutures on surgical astigmatism. Materials and Method: 60 eyes of 60 patients were included in this study and divided into 3 groups. Group 1 consisted of 20 cases with 3 mm clear corneal incision, Group 2 consisted of 20 cases with 5 mm clear corneal incision and Group 3 consisted of 20 cases with 5 mm clear corneal incision and a corneal suture. All patients had pre and post operative (Day 1 and 30) keratometry. The surgically induced astigmatism and changes of keratometric values were calculated by the vector analysis method. Results: There was no statistically significant difference between 3 groups in surgically induced astigmatism. Conclusion: In cases where corneal incision has to be widened or o foldable intraocular lens cannot be implanted, 5 mm clear corneal incision can be done quiet easily and good post operative results can be achieved.