Refractive astigmatism after oblique clear corneal phacoemulsification cataract incision

Purpose: To determine the astigmatic effect of a supero-oblique clear corne al phacoemulsification cataract incision. Setting: A university-based general ophthalmology practice. Methods: Aii eyes having supero-oblique phacoemulsification cataract surger y using the right hand of a single surgeon between April 17, 1997, and July 24, 1997, were prospectively included. There were 52 eyes of 52 consecutiv e patients, Manifest refraction was performed preoperatively and 1, 3, and at least 6 months postoperatively. A Fourier method of vector analysis was used. Results: Mean refractive error (Fourier corrected) for ail eyes and all age s preoperatively was -1.422 +0.085 x 35.85. At 6 months, it was -0.620 +0.1 90 x 14.2. There was little difference between right and left eyes. Patient s older than 80 years had greater induced astigmatism. Conclusion: This study provides evidence that making a supero-oblique clear corneal phacoemulsification incision while sitting in the more natural sup erior position does not induce a clinically important amount of oblique ast igmatism. J Cataract Refract Surg 1999; 25:949-952 (C) 1999 ASCRS and ESCRS .