We performed sequential refraction on 91 cataract patients following extracapsular lens extraction with posterior chamber lens implantation. In 30 patients who underwent wound closure with 8-0 Dexon, we found postoperative shift in astigmatism from with- to against-the-rule in the first postoperative month. And the degree of astigmatism in the third postoperative month was not related to the tightness of suture. In the other 61 patients whose wound was closed with interrupted 10-0 Nylon, the range of postoperative change in astigmatism was smaller than Dexon group (P<0.001). And the degree of astigmatism in the third postoperative month depended on the tightness of suture (D(subscript 3M)=0.4814×D(subscript 1D)-1.0939, P<0.001). The creation of postoperative 2D with-the-rule astigmatism would achieve the final non-astigmatic state. The postoperative naked eye visual acuity was better in the Nylon group (70.5% vs 46.7% of VA≥6/10). Based on our study on the natural course of astigmatism following cataract surgery, it was noted that Nylon was better than Dexon in term of astigmatism control and is recommended for the experienced surgeon.
We performed sequential refraction on 91 cataract patients following extracapsular lens extraction with posterior chamber lens implantation. In 30 patients who underwent wound closure with 8-0 Dexon, we found postoperative shift in astigmatism from with- to against-the-rule in the first postoperative month. And the degree of astigmatism in the third postoperative month was not related to the tightness of suture. In the other 61 patients whose wound was closed with interrupted 10-0 Nylon, the range of postoperative change in astigmatism was smaller than Dexon group (P<0.001). And the degree of astigmatism in the third postoperative month depended on the tightness of suture (D(subscript 3M)=0.4814×D(subscript 1D)-1.0939, P<0.001). The creation of postoperative 2D with-the-rule astigmatism would achieve the final non-astigmatic state. The postoperative naked eye visual acuity was better in the Nylon group (70.5% vs 46.7% of VA≥6/10). Based on our study on the natural course of astigmatism following cataract surgery, it was noted that Nylon was better than Dexon in term of astigmatism control and is recommended for the experienced surgeon.