Comparison of pre-incision and single-stepped clear corneal incision in phacoemulsification surgery.

AIM To compare postoperative keratometric corneal refractive changes after phacoemulsification surgery between pre-incision and single stepped clear corneal incision techniques. PATIENTS AND METHODS This prospective clinical study included 40 eyes of 40 patients who underwent clear corneal cataract surgery. Twenty eyes were operated using pre-incision technique (Group A), and 20 eyes using single-stepped incision technique (Group B). Corneal refractive power was measured by keratometry before the surgery and one week, one month, and three months postoperatively. NCSS (Number Cruncher Statistical System), 2007&PASS (Power Analysis and Sample Size), and 2008 SS (Statistical Software, Utah, USA) was used for the statistical analysis. RESULTS The mean preoperative keratometric corneal power in the pre-incision group was 44.24±1.59 and 44.70±1.26 in the single stepped incision group. After three months postoperatively, it was 44.15±1.57 in the pre-incision group and 44.77±1.39 in the single stepped incision group. There was no significant difference in the keratometric corneal refractive changes between Group A and Group B, three months after surgery (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Using pre-incision and single stepped clear corneal incision techniques in phacoemulsification surgery showed no difference on corneal refractive power changes. Pre-incision technique can be used for smoother corneal incision in cataract surgery especially for the beginners.