Surgically induced astigmatism in manual small-incision cataract surgery: A comparative study between superotemporal and temporal scleral incisions

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to compare the surgically induced astigmatism between superotemporal and temporal approaches in manual small-incision cataract surgery (MSICS). Materials and Methods: This was a prospective, hospital-based, interventional study with two groups each consisting of 50 patients. Patients in Group A underwent superotemporal MSICS and those in Group B underwent temporal MSICS. Statistical analyses of the results obtained were done with the SPSS software version 20, and data sets were compared using an independent sample t-test. Results: Astigmatism induced by superotemporal incision was 0.8032 ± 0.322 D, whereas astigmatism induced by temporal incision was 0.3826 ± 0.142 D with the difference being statistically significant. Both the groups showed significant improvement in postoperative uncorrected visual acuity. Conclusions: This study showed that the temporal MSICS induces lesser astigmatism as compared to the superotemporal approach. However, unaided postoperative visual acuity was comparable and good in both the groups.

Keywords

• manual small-incision cataract surgery
• superotemporal incision
• surgically induced astigmatism
• temporal incision