Abstract

Introduction: Surgically induced astigmatism is the difference between preoperative and postoperative astigmatism.

Aims: To study surgically induced astigmatism after phacoemulsification cataract surgery performed for age related cataract.

Materials and Methods: A clinical study was done to evaluate the surgically induced astigmatism after phacoemulsification with superior clear corneal incisions with foldable intra ocular lens implantation in Northern Railway Central Hospital New Delhi. A total of 100 patients, who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were taken. All cases underwent phacoemulsification with foldable intra ocular lens implantation, where superior clear corneal incision was used. Keratometric readings were taken preoperatively as well as on 1st day, 1 week, and 6^th week post-operatively. Surgically induced astigmatism was calculated by SIA Calculator.

Results: Amount of average SIA on 1^st day was 0.98D ±0.36, subsequently on 7^th day average SIA was 0.81D ±0.31 and the average surgically induced astigmatism at 6^th week was 0.79D ±0.24; there was no gross difference on 7^th day and 6^th week.  Superior clear corneal incision induced against the rule astigmatism (59%); 20% of patient showed WTR astigmatism and 21% of patients showed oblique astigmatism post-operatively.

Conclusion: Phacoemulsification seems to achieve the goal of minimizing surgically induced astigmatism.

Keywords: Surgically induced astigmatism, Phacoemulsification, age related cataract.