Corneal topography and astigmatism after superior sutured 8 mm scleral tunnel incisions.

OBJECTIVES

To verify corneal topography and astigmatism after cataract surgery with 8 mm scleral tunnel incisions closed with a continuous 10-0 nylon suture.

SETTING

Institute of Ophthalmology, University of Verona, Italy.

METHOD: Twenty eyes were studied for 12 months after cataract extraction with 8 mm, sutured, scleral tunnel incisions. Corneal topography (EyeSys 2.1) was evaluated for the first 5 months. Astigmatism (absolute and induced) was measured by Javal ophthalmometry preoperatively and 1, 7, 30, 60, 90, 150, and 360 days after surgery.

RESULTS

In the week following surgery, corneal shape was minimally affected and uncorrected visual acuity was not compromised. Mean with-the-rule induced cylinder was less than 1.00 diopter (D). After 5 and after 12 months, the mean induced cylinder was still less than 1.50 D but with an against-the-rule shift in almost all eyes.

CONCLUSIONS

Sutured 8 mm tunnel incisions showed good results in terms of absolute cylinders but late against-the-rule shift could not be avoided.