Phacoemulsification and polymethylmethacrylate intraocular lens implantation. Prevention of postsurgical astigmatism through scleral approach

Abstract

Introduction: cataract is the most common eye condition worldwide and is considered a cause of decreased visual acuity that can be remedied through a relatively easy and safe surgical intervention. Phacoemulsification is the preferred surgical technique among Anterior Segment Ophthalmic Surgery Specialists worldwide. Objective: to find a viable option to perform cataract surgery using the phacoemulsification technique in the absence of foldable intraocular lenses and to evaluate the induction of astigmatism after this variation. Methods: a quasi-experimental study was carried out, with before/after evaluation, in a group of patients who underwent phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation of a polymethylmethacrylate intraocular lens at the Ophthalmological Center of the “Arnaldo Milián Castro” Hospital. Results: the average age of the patients was 62.88 (±8.93) years, with a range between 45 and 76 years of age, 12 of the 23 patients (52.17%) belonged to the female sex and 11 (47.83%) to the male. The time required for the proposed variations and the steps added to the standard phacoemulsification technique to place an intraocular lens do not represent a substantial increase over it of about 20 minutes on average. Conclusions: this option can be used when only rigid polymethylmethacrylate intraocular lenses are available. It is recommended for situations in which the insertion of a folding lens through opercula in the posterior capsule is not recommended.

Keywords

• facoemulsificación
• implantación de lentes intraoculares
• polimetil metacrilato
• astigmatismo postquirúrgico
• abordaje escleral
• prevención