Visual Acuity, Complications and Astigmatism from Small-incision Cataract Surgery Using Anterior Chamber Maintainer in Hypermature Cataract

Abstract

The purpose of this retrospective descriptive study was to evaluate the visual acuity, complications
and astigmatism of cataract extraction technique using ACM in hypermature cataract. Smallincision
ECCE using ACM was performed on 83 patients (83 eyes) from March 2008 through March
2010. The results of the surgery were retrospectively analyzed. The main outcomes were preoperative
and postoperative best corrected visual acuity, keratometry, intraoperative and postoperative
complication. The patients were examined at 1 week, 1, 2, 3 and 6 months postoperatively. The
result showed that the best corrected visual acuity (BCVA ) at six months was 20/50 or better in 56
eyes (67.47%). The intraoperative and postoperative complications consisted of capsule rupture in
four eyes (4.81%), vitreous loss in four eyes (4.81%), hyphema in one eye (1.21% ), corneal edema
in five eyes (6.03%) and phacodonesis in two eyes (2.41%). Within the six month follow up peroid,
there was no case of corneal decompensation. At six months postoperatively, surgical induced astigmatism
was between 0.00 to 1.00 diopter. The mean induced astigmatism calculated by simple
subtraction was 0.22 ± 0.19 diopter.
Small-incision ECCE using ACM was effective, safe and an economical technique for the
patients with hypermature cataract. This surgical technique showed a small increase in surgical
induced astigmatism and achieved good visual outcomes. No serious complications occurred.
Key words: hypermature cataract, small - incision cataract surgery, visual acuity and complication