Correction of astigmatism during cataract surgery: toric intraocular lens compared to peripheral corneal relaxing incisions.

PURPOSE: To compare the efficacy of astigmatic correction achieved at the time of cataract surgery using toric intraocular lens (IOL) implantation versus peripheral corneal relaxing incisions. METHODS: A retrospective review assessed the outcomes of phacoemulsification cataract surgery performed between January 2006 and January 2008 by a single surgeon. Patients receiving a toric IOL (toric IOL group) or peripheral corneal relaxing incisions (relaxing incisions group) were included in the study. Main outcome variables included postoperative uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) and manifest refractive cylinder. Each treatment modality was stratified by amount of preoperative keratometric astigmatism into three groups (low, moderate, and high astigmatism) for comparative analysis. RESULTS: A total of 192 eyes were included in the study; 77 received a toric IOL and 115 received peripheral corneal relaxing incisions. Preoperative data were not significantly different between the two groups except regarding keratometric astigmatism, which was higher in the toric IOL group (P<.05). Average postoperative astigmatism was 0.42 diopters (D) and 0.46 D in the toric and relaxing incisions groups, respectively. In subgroup analysis, no statistical significance separated the two treatment options in terms of amount of surgically induced astigmatism or residual astigmatism. Eyes with astigmatism ≥2.26 D were more likely to achieve 20/40 UDVA from a toric IOL. CONCLUSIONS: Toric IOL implantation and peripheral corneal relaxing incisions yielded similar results regarding surgical correction of astigmatism at the time of phacoemulsification cataract surgery. Both treatment modalities achieved comparable results with mild-to-moderate astigmatism. Higher degrees of astigmatism favor use of a toric IOL.

Refractive outcomes of lens-sparing vitrectomy for retinopathy of prematurity.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the refractive outcomes of 3-port lens-sparing vitrectomy (LSV) for subtotal retinal detachments owing to retinopathy of prematurity. METHODS: The study included 9 infants who had undergone complete ablative laser treatment for threshold retinopathy of prematurity in both eyes, subsequently developed stage 4A retinal detachment in 1 eye for which they underwent LSV, and maintained complete retinal attachment bilaterally. Eyes that underwent LSV were compared with fellow eyes. Cycloplegic refraction was performed, and corneal curvature, axial length, lens thickness, lens position, and anterior chamber depth were measured. RESULTS: Significantly less myopia was present in eyes that had undergone LSV compared with control eyes (mean spherical equivalent, -6.78 vs -10.33 diopter [D]; P < .001). The reduced myopia in LSV eyes was predominantly owing to increased anterior chamber depth (mean, 3.81 vs 2.96 mm; P < .001) and a more posterior position of the lens (mean, 5.58 vs 4.63 mm; P < .001). There was a minor contribution from reduced corneal power in LSV eyes (mean, 43.90 vs 44.20 D; P = .02). There was no significant difference in axial length, lens thickness, or lens power between LSV and control eyes. CONCLUSIONS: Infant eyes undergoing 3-port LSV for stage 4A retinopathy of prematurity develop less myopia than fellow eyes treated with ablative laser alone. The difference is owing to posterior displacement of the lens, with a smaller contribution from reduced corneal power. The reduction in myopia may explain the excellent functional outcomes following 3-port LSV for stage 4A retinopathy of prematurity.