Comparison of the keratometric corneal astigmatism and refractive astigmatism after phacoemulsification and foldable intraocular lens implantation

Here we aimed to define keratometric and refractive astigmatism in a series of patients who underwent phacoemulsification, using small corneal incision and implantation of foldable intraocular lenses. Furthermore, we compared keratometric astigmatism and refractive astigmatism of the patients both before and after surgery. We performed a follow-up study of patients with newly diagnosed cataract before and after phacoemulsification surgery. Eighty eyes from 78 patients with a mean age of 62.9 ± 12.03 (32–86) years were studied. Thirty-nine (48.8 %) were male and 41(51.2 %) were female. All subjects underwent 3.5 mm corneal incision with the temporal (75 patients; 94 %) or superior (5 patients; 6 %) approach. The patients were followed for a mean of 74.21 ± 71.25 (30–400) days. Patients had higher values of keratometric measurements after surgery compared to those before surgery [45.81 ± 0.11 (45.06–45.94) vs. 45.2 ± 0.20 (44.6–45.41)] (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in the keratometric astigmatism, refractive astigmatism and keratometry axis pre- and postoperatively. The mean keratometric astigmatism was 0.9 ± 0.54 (0.00–4.00) diopters (D) preoperatively and 0.93 ± 0.45 (0.00–4.00) D postoperatively (p = 0.444). The keratometric axis was 97.7 ± 9.4 preoperatively and 115 ± 15.8 postoperatively (p = 0.185). Refractive astigmatism was 1.15 ± 0.77 (5–180) with the refractive axis of 89.7 ± 5.89 (5–180) degrees in the follow-up (p = 0.752). Ninety percent of the patients had <1.00 D difference in the keratometric and refractive astigmatism, postoperatively. In conclusion while there is no significant difference in postoperative keratometric and refractive astigmatism in most of the eyes, about 10 % show >1 D difference in these measurements.