Double safe suture during cataract surgery on post radial keratotomy patients using clear corneal incisions.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: the aim of this study is to find a safer surgical approach in cataract surgery on eyes previously treated with radial keratotomy using clear corneal incisions. SETTING: Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, Ophthalmology Clinic, University of Messina, Messina, Italy. DESIGN: Prospective study. METHODS: A prospective study was conducted on a group of 20 patients, 21 eyes with 16 RK incisions were evaluated for cataract phacoemulsification. Samples were divided into two groups Group 1 underwent surgery with pre-operative one corneal stitch along radial keratotomy incisions near the main access site whereas Group 2 underwent modified surgery with two corneal stitches. RESULTS: After surgery, visual acuity, corneal hysteresis and corneal strength was evaluated. In all cases, an increased visual acuity was observed. Group 1 showed an UCVA of logMAR 0.22 ± 0.14, while group 2 presented a logMAR of 0.1 ± 0.07. Data did not show a statistically significant difference in UCVA after surgery between the two groups (P = 0.133). Instead, a significant difference in corneal hysteresis (CH), respectively with values of 8.65 ± 1.6 mmHg in group 1 and 9.2 ± 1.8 in group 2 (P = 0.031), and a corneal resistance factor (CRF) with values of 7.87 ± 1.4 mmHg in the first group and 8.65 ± 1.6 mmHg in the second one (P = 0.039) was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Double safe suture technique offers better stabilization of corneal structure during surgery in patients preventively treated with 16 incisions RK.