Clinical results of arcuate incisions to correct astigmatism.

PURPOSE To evaluate the effectiveness of arcuate incisions for correcting congenital, post-cataract, post-radial keratotomy, and post-trapezoidal keratotomy astigmatism. SETTING Buzard Eye Institute, Las Vegas, Nevada. METHODS In this retrospective study, 46 eyes of 29 patients had arcuate incisions to correct astigmatism. The average age of patients was 52 years. RESULTS Mean preoperative astigmatism was 3.51 +/- 1.57 D (keratometric) and 3.41 +/- 1.44 D (manifest). Mean preoperative uncorrected visual acuity was 20/80, ranging from 20/30 to 20/400. Thirty eyes had a pair of 45-degree arcuate incisions, 10 eyes had a pair of 60-degree arcuate incisions, and 6 eyes had a pair of 90-degree arcuate incisions. Mean follow-up was 6 months. Mean postoperative astigmatism was 1.46 +/- 1.07 D (keratometric) and 1.05 +/- 0.94 D (manifest), with a reduction of astigmatism in all operated eyes. Mean postoperative uncorrected visual acuity was 20/32, ranging from 20/20 to 20/60. The analysis of the vector astigmatic change showed that only two patients were overcorrected after the procedure. CONCLUSION The predictability and safety of arcuate incisions are reflected in these results.