Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess prevalence of corneal astigmatism before cataract surgery in old age in Indian rural population.
Design: Prospective, cross-sectional, and observational study.
Methods: Keratometric values were measured with an auto refractokeratometer in patients presenting for cataract surgery between January 2017 and May 2018. The demographic profiles of patients were recorded. Axial length and intraocular lens power were measured. Data were analyzed in SPSS software.
Results: This study included 1000 eyes of 880 patients with a mean age of 65.1 ± 10.12 years. The mean astigmatism was 0.89 ± 0.63 D. A total of 179 eyes (17.9%) had astigmatism between 1.00 and 1.49 D; 34 eyes (3.4%) had astigmatism between 2.00 and 2.5 D; and 20 eyes (2%) had astigmatism >3 D. Overall, 325 eyes (32.5%) had astigmatism >1.00 D. Against the rule astigmatism was seen in 44.6% cases, oblique astigmatism was seen in 32% cases, and with the rule astigmatism was seen in 20.7% cases. Against the rule astigmatism increased with age and reached a maximum between 60 and 69 years. Male eyes had flatter corneal curvature than female eyes. The mean axial length was 25.59 mm, and the mean intraocular lens power was 21.05 ± 1.0D.
Conclusions: We found that 32.5% patients had corneal astigmatism >1 D and may benefit from toric intraocular lenses implantation. The results of this analysis provide normative data for the hospital to plan for correction of corneal astigmatism in patients undergoing cataract surgery.