Comparison of different methods of correcting astigmatism in cataract surgery.

Clinical Relevance: Astigmatism causes a decrement in visual acuity, and deterioration in visual quality.

Background: The aim of this study is to compare clear corneal incision (CCI) in the steepest meridian, opposed clear corneal incision (OCCI) and toric intraocular lens implantation methods for the correction of astigmatism in cataract surgery.

Methods: Total of 93 preoperative patients with the rule corneal astigmatism (between 1.00-3.00 D)underwent uncomplicated cataract surgery are retrospectively included in this study. Whole patients are divided into three groups of equal number of patients of 31 by considering the astigmatism correcting methods that are as follows. Group 1 consists of patients underwent CCI on the steepest meridian, group 2 consists of the patients underwent paired OCCI, and group 3 consists of those with toric intraocular lens implantation. The preoperative and postoperative 3rd month uncorrected distance visual acuity, refraction and, keratometry values, and surgically induced astigmatism values calculated by Alpins method are recorded.

Results: The age, preoperative and postoperative 3rd month spherical, spherical equivalent refraction and keratometry values of the groups are similar ( > 0.05). The preoperative uncorrected distance visual acuity values are similar in whole groups, postoperative uncorrected distance visual acuity values are the highest in group 1, and lowest in group 3 ( = 0.85,  = 0.02, respectively). The preoperative and postoperative 3rd month mean cylinder refraction values are -1.86 D, -1.00 D in group 1, -1.77 D, -0.70 D in group 2, and -1.95 D, -0.40 D in group 3. There is a statistically significant difference among the groups ( = 0.01). The surgically induced astigmatism values are statistically different among the groups [it was 0.46 ± 0.21 in group 1, 0.91 ± 0.44 in group 2, 0.33 ± 0.18 in group 3 ( < 0.001, respectively)].

Conclusion: This study indicated that; CCI, paired OCCI, and toric intraocular lens implantation should be preferred and performed for the steepest meridian in low D, middle D, and high D astigmatism patients, respectively. CCI can easily be applied for low to medium D without needing extra skills and tools. On the other hand, toric intraocular lens implantation is a better option for a high astigmatism with proper and accurate planning before the surgery.