Control of the progression of astigmatism in phacoemulsification

Abstract

Objective: Determine how to control the progression of astigmatism in phacoemulsification to improve its results.
Methods: A descriptive prospective study was conducted of a case series of 43 eyes of cataract patients undergoing prechop phacoemulsification with foldable intraocular lens implantation at Ramón Pando Ferrer Cuban Institute of Ophthalmology from November 2018 to April 2020. Percentages and absolute numbers were used for qualitative variables, and mean and standard deviation for quantitative variables, with a confidence interval of 95%.
Results: Mean age was 69.4 ± 8.3 years (51.16%); hardness was NO3; in 76.75% best uncorrected visual acuity improved 0.8-1.0; pre- vs. postoperative mean keratometry did not show any statistically significant differences; in 72.09% the postoperative refractive cylinder was smaller than 0.5 diopters; 51.17% of the eyes had preoperative refractive against-the-rule astigmatism, improving at one month postoperative in 60.47%. Quality of life by the VF-14 survey was very good in 100% of the patients one month after surgery.
Conclusions: Correction of astigmatism with personalized incisions in phacoemulsification provides good predictability and improves visual quality and quality of life.
Key words: Astigmatism; cataract; phacoemulsification; quality of life.