Iris Registration Capsulotomy Marking Versus Manual Marking for Toric Intraocular Lens Alignment in Cataract Surgery.

PURPOSE: To compare the accuracy of toric intraocular lens (IOL) alignment and visual outcomes using femtosecond laser-assisted capsulotomy marking (CM) versus conventional slit lamp-assisted manual marking (MM).

DESIGN

Prospective cohort study.

METHODS

A total of 57 patients who required cataract surgery and toric IOL implantation (Acrysof SN6AT3-T8) were assigned to the CM group (26 eyes) or the MM group (31 eyes). Uncorrected distant visual acuity (UCDVA), best-corrected distant visual acuity (BCDVA), residual astigmatism (RA), IOL misalignment, and modulation transfer function (area ratio [AR] value) were measured 1 and 3 months after surgery.

RESULTS

Postoperative UCDVA (logarithm of minimal angle of resolution [logMAR]) was significantly lower in the CM group than that in the MM group (P < .05). Postoperative RA and IOL misalignment were significantly lower in the CM group than that in the MM group (both P < .05). No significant difference between the groups was observed for BCDVA or AR value (both P > .05). UCDVA (logMAR) was positively correlated with RA (r = 0.339; P < .05) and IOL misalignment (r = 0.317; P < .05) and negatively correlated with the the AR value (r = -0.272; P < .05); RA was positively correlated with IOL misalignment (r = 0.405; P < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

The accuracy of the axis alignment was significantly higher in the CM group, which resulted in lower residual astigmatism and better visual outcomes.