Surgically Induced Astigmatism After Phacoemulsification with Clear Corneal 2.75 mm Incision Using Superior Approach

Context: Optimal postoperative vision can be achieved through a low surgically induced astigmatism (SIA), which is closely related to the site of incisions. Studies showed that temporal incision gives low SIA. However, a temporal incision is not convenient for some surgeons and in a small operating room with a limited number of assistants. These limitations can be overcome by using a superior approach. Aims: The aim of the study was to evaluate SIA after phacoemulsification with clear corneal incision using superior approach in different kinds of astigmatism as an alternative site of incision. Settings and Design: Medical records of patients who underwent cataract surgery were collected retrospectively between April and August 2017. Appropriate statistical analyses using Kruskal–Wallis, analysis of variance (ANOVA), Games-Howell test were done to assess the effect of superior approach on corneal curvature and whether it varies between different kinds of astigmatism. Results: Kruskal-Wallis test shows that there was no significant postoperative power change across different astigmatism groups (χ2 (2) = 0.805, P = 0.669). ANOVA and Games-Howell test show that oblique astigmatism had higher changes to its curvature compared with against the rule or with the rule astigmatism. Conclusions: The average SIA from the study was 0.34 diopter. Our study concludes that there is no statistically significant difference to SIA between three groups of astigmatism when they were operated using superior approach.