Corneal Astigmatism Change after Simultaneous Surgery for Cataract and Pterygium

Lee, Jong Hyun; Lim, Seung Jung; Hwang, Jae Hyo; Kim, Hong Bok

Abstract

It is known that surgically induced astigmatism can be reduced by incision along the steep axis. Also, high grade astigmatism can be induced by pterygium. We evaluated the amount of corneal astigmatism according to the severity of pterygium in cataract patients. We retrospetively analysed the change of astigmatism after simultaneous surgery for cataract and pterygium retrospectively. We divided patients into two groups, temporal incision group. We confirmed that astigmatism is induced by moderate to severe pterygium. The more severe the pterygium, the more the amount of astigmatism. The amount of astigmatism was reduced after surgery irrespective of the incision. Postoperative astigmatic change was stabilized earlier in the temporal incision group than in the superior incision group. We concluded thath simultaneous surgery for cataract and pterygium can be considered when the severity of the pterygium is moderate to severe. Incision location in those surgeries should be decided according to whether the previous astigmatism was with-the-rule or aganinst-the-rule and this can be assumed by the state of astigmatism of the healthy, fellow sys. If the assumption is not possible, temporal incision is more desirable in aspectes of stability and predictability of postoperative astigmatism.