TY - JOUR AU - Archana, S AU - Khurana, AK AU - Chawla, U PY - 2011/02/21 Y2 - 2024/03/29 TI - A comparative study of sclero-corneal and clear corneal tunnel incision in manual small-incision cataract surgery JF - Nepalese Journal of Ophthalmology JA - Nep J Oph VL - 3 IS - 1 SE - Original Articles DO - 10.3126/nepjoph.v3i1.4273 UR - https://www.nepjol.info/index.php/NEPJOPH/article/view/4273 SP - 19-22 AB - <strong>Background: </strong>Cataract surgery techniques have improved a lot over the years from couching to the latest micro-incision cataract surgery. <br /><br /><strong>Objectives:</strong> To compare the temporal sclero-corneal and clear corneal tunnel incisions in patients undergoing manual small-incision cataract surgery (SICS) with respect to the surgically-induced astigmatism. <br /><br /><strong>Materials and methods:</strong> The present study included 60 patients who underwent manual SICS with posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation. Group A comprised of 30 patients, selected randomly, who underwent sutureless manual SICS through 6 mm curvilinear clear corneal tunnel incision made temporally and Group B comprised of 30 patients, selected randomly, who underwent sutureless manual SICS through 6 mm straight sclero-corneal tunnel made temporally. The patients were assessed at 1 week, 2 weeks, 1 month and 2 months post-operatively and visual acuity and keratometry findings were recorded. The amount of surgically induced astigmatism was calculated using Holladay&rsquo;s formula. <br /><br /><strong>Statistics:</strong> Numerical data were compared between the two groups using unpaired Student&rsquo;s t-test. The p value of &lt; 0.50 was considered significant. <br /><br /><strong>Results: </strong>The mean induced astigmatism in Group A was 2.69 &plusmn; 0.84 D at 1 week, 2.31 &plusmn; 0.77 D at 2 weeks; 2.03 &plusmn; 0.82 D at 4 weeks and 1.98 &plusmn; 0.54 D at 8 weeks post-operatively. In group B, it was 1.85 &plusmn; 0.62 D, 1.56 &plusmn; 0.54 D, 1.35 &plusmn; 0.49 D and 1.34 &plusmn;0.45 D at 1 week, 2 weeks, 4 weeks and 8 weeks postoperatively. Uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) of 20/ 20 was seen in 20 % of patients in group A and in 40 % in group B at 8 weeks postoperatively. <br /><br /><strong>Conclusion:</strong> Surgically-induced astigmatism is significantly higher in clear corneal manual SICS than in sclero-corneal. Our study confirmed the safety and improvement in visual acuity after small-incision cataract surgery using sclero-corneal tunnel incision. <br /><br /><strong>Key words: </strong>astigmatism; sclero-corneal; clear corneal tunnel; extra-capsular cataract surgery; small incision cataract surgery <br /><br />DOI: 10.3126/nepjoph.v3i1.4273<br /><br /><em>Nepal J Ophthalmol </em>2011;3(5):19-22<br /><br /> ER -