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Abstract

Background: There are ever increasing expectations of better refractive outcomes following cataract surgery like the expectation of no requirement of spectacles. However, for the best visual results, there is a need to minimize the effect of post-operative astigmatism. Options like implantation of toric intraocular lens implants, cataract incision for flattening, astigmatic keratotomy, or post-operative correction by Limbal relaxing incisions (LRI) are available to overcome the astigmatism present after cataract surgery. Methods: Thirty seven patients that underwent Phacoemulsification surgery for cataract with posterior chamber foldable or rigid intraocular lens insertion by temporal incision and required correction of astigmatism afterwards were included. Results: The study comprised of 37 patients that underwent Limbal relaxing incision (LRI) in the study groups. It included 13 patients (35.1%) from group I and 24 patients (64.9%) from group II. There was no significant difference in the peripheral Pachymetry, correction aimed, correction achieved and final astigmatism in the two groups. Also, there was no significant difference in the mean residual astigmatism on day 1, 7 and 42 between the two groups. Before LRI, there was statistically significant difference in the type of astigmatism in the two groups. Maximum patients in group I had 'against the rule' astigmatism whereas maximum patients in group II had 'with the rule' astigmatism. After LRI, there was no significant difference in the type of astigmatism between the two groups. All the patients in group I and group II had achieved uncorrected visual acuity of 6/6 on day 42. None of the patients required correction for distance vision after LRI. Conclusions: From study observations it can be concluded that Limbal relaxing incisions were successful in achieving emmetropia in patients with residual astigmatism after 6 weeks of Phacoemulsification cataract surgery with foldable or rigid intraocular lens implantation.