ASTIGMATIC CHANGES AFTER CATARACT-SURGERY WITH 5.1 MM AND 3.5 MM SUTURELESS INCISIONS

We evaluated postoperative keratometric astigmatism in 80 eyes that ha d phaco-emulsification and intraocular lens implantation through sutur eless corneal incisions. The eyes were separated into two groups based on the use of rigid ovoid or foldable silicone lenses inserted throug h 5.1 mm corneal lip incisions or 3.5 mm lip incisions, respectively. In the early postoperative period (one to three months), vector analys is showed less induced astigmatism in the 3.5 mm group than in the 5.1 mm group. Uncorrected visual acuity during the postoperative period w as also better in the smaller incision group.