Comparison of pre-incision and single-stepped clear corneal incision in phacoemulsification surgery

V. Aykut, A. Kirgiz, B. Gül Ay, U. Celik

Gaziosmanpaşa Taksim Training and Research Hospital, Department of Ophthalmology, Istanbul, Turkey. v-aykut@hotmail.com

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• Ophthalmology

AIM: To compare postoperative keratometric corneal refractive changes after phacoemulsification surgery between pre-incision and single stepped clear corneal incision techniques.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: This prospective clinical study included 40 eyes of 40 patients who underwent clear corneal cataract surgery. Twenty eyes were operated using pre-incision technique (Group A), and 20 eyes using single-stepped incision technique (Group B). Corneal refractive power was measured by keratometry before the surgery and one week, one month, and three months postoperatively. NCSS (Number Cruncher Statistical System), 2007&PASS (Power Analysis and Sample Size), and 2008 SS (Statistical Software, Utah, USA) was used for the statistical analysis.

RESULTS: The mean preoperative keratometric corneal power in the pre-incision group was 44.24±1.59 and 44.70±1.26 in the single stepped incision group. After three months postoperatively, it was 44.15±1.57 in the pre-incision group and 44.77±1.39 in the single stepped incision group. There was no significant difference in the keratometric corneal refractive changes between Group A and Group B, three months after surgery (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: Using pre-incision and single stepped clear corneal incision techniques in phacoemulsification surgery showed no difference on corneal refractive power changes. Pre-incision technique can be used for smoother corneal incision in cataract surgery especially for the beginners.

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