Long-Term Astigmatic Changes in Cataract Surgery

Moon, Sang Don; Chung, Jin; Kim, Man Soo

Abstract

Long term changes in corneal astigmatism after cataract surgery were evaluated. Phamemulsification with 7mm limbal incision(Group 1) was performed in 68 eyes and ECCE with 101mm limbal incision(Group 2) in 73 eyes. Follow up period was up to 5 years (mean 3.3 years), and the astigmatic change was analysed by Algebraic method. In most cases, postoperative astigmatigm was stabilized at 3 months but showed continuing against-the-rule change up to 5 years. Group 2 and above 60 years of age group showed more against-the-rule change at 5 years follw up although there was no significant differences between groups, up to 2 years. Preoperative against-the-rule group and less than 4 diopters of with-the-rule astigmatism group at 1 week postoperatively developed more against-the-rule change. Diabetic patients showed slightly more shift to against-the-rule astigmation than non-diabetic patients. As a conclusion, corneal astigmatism shifted toward against-the-rule up to 5 years after the cataract surgery continuously and affected by incision length, age of the patients, preoperative astigmatism and diabetes. Thus, surgical modifications would be considered by the patients' status.