Refractive Error Stabilization Following Phacoemulsification Cataract Surgery and Its Associated Preoperative Factors.

Purpose: To evaluate the time required for refractive error (RE) stabilization after standard phacoemulsification cataract surgery and identify preoperative factors influencing this duration.

Methods: This prospective case series study enrolled patients who had undergone phacoemulsification cataract surgery. RE stabilization was defined as $<$ 0.50 diopter changes in spherical equivalent (SE) over two consecutive follow-ups. Participants underwent ophthalmic examinations at baseline and postoperative days 3, 7, 14, 28, and 60. Keratometric values (K-mean), corneal astigmatism, and axial length (AL) were measured preoperatively using a biometric device.

Results: A total of 163 eyes from 163 patients were included. RE stabilization occurred by day 28 in 98.8% of eyes, reaching 100% by day 60. Multivariate analysis revealed that age, gender, type of cataract (nuclear, cortical, or posterior subcapsular), best-corrected visual acuity, absolute SE, and K-mean did not significantly influence the time to RE stabilization (Ps $>$ 0.05). AL demonstrated a significant negative association with the time to RE stabilization (ß = -0.445, P $<$ 0.001). Moreover, eyes with lower preoperative corneal astigmatism exhibited a shorter time to RE stabilization (ß = 1.001, P $<$ 0.001).

Conclusion: RE stabilization is typically observed 4 weeks post-cataract surgery. Eyes with lower AL and higher corneal astigmatism exhibit a comparatively slower RE stabilization following surgery.