Resumen

HERNANDEZ SILVA, Juan Raúl et al. Phacoemulsification and astigmatic keratotomy. Rev Cubana Oftalmol [online]. 2007, vol.20, n.2. ISSN 0864-2176.

The control of postoperative astigmatism is one of the biggest challenges met by the cataract surgeon, who has been forced for these reason not only to improve the surgical technique to be performed but also to look for tools that supplement this job. In this way, different choices are used including clear corneal incisions in the steep meridian, astigmatic keratotomy, toric intraocular lens implantation, opposite clear corneal incisions and limbal relaxing incisions or peripheral relaxing corneal incisions. Our objective was to determine the results of astigmatic keratotomy with limbal relaxing incisions in cataract surgery based on phacoemulsification using Pre chop technique; to evaluate the expected and the achieved spheral component; to determine the pre-operative and post-operative keratometric cylinder; and analyze  the results of the best corrected visual acuity before and after surgery. A prospective, descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted in 198 patients (eyes) diagnosed with pre-senile and senile cataract and surgically treated with  Pre chop technique-based phacoemulsification plus astigmatic keratotomy with limbal relaxing incisions at the Center of Ocular Microsurgey in the period ranging from January 2002 to January 2005.  The patients were followed up for 3 months. As a result, spheral component improved, and the keratometric cylinder slightly increased.  In all the cases, the visual lines got better and average ultrasound time was low.

Palabras clave : keratotomy; corneal relaxing incisions; phacoemulsification.