A Study of Paired Incision in Phacoemulsification Surgery

Purpose To evaluate efficiency of paired incision in controlling corneal astigmatism in phacoemulsification surgery and assess the complications of these incision. Design Prospective, Interventional (Non-Randomized) study. Methods A total of 56 patients who required cataract surgery were selected as per inclusion and exclusion criteria. Routine phacoemulsification surgery was performed and a paired incision opposite to the main incision was made on the steeper meridian of cornea after intra ocular lens implantation. Post operative vision, refraction and keratometry difference was measured on week 1, month 1 and month 3. Data was then compared with pre-operative findings and difference in corneal astigmatism was observed. Results Mean keratometry difference pre-operatively was 1.55-0.52 and post-operatively on week 1, month 1 and month 3 was 0.76-0.50, 0.55-0.40 and 0.50-0.39 respectively. There was significant reduction in corneal astigmatism in all the 3 follow up time interval when compared pre-operatively (P value 0.001). No incision related complication was observed. Conclusion A simple paired incision applied opposite to the main incision on the steeper axis of cornea during phacoemulsification surgery is successful in improving pre-existing corneal astigmatism that is cheap and done without extra instrumentation and skills.