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.