Limbal relaxing incisions with cataract surgery

J Cataract Refract Surg. 1998 Apr;24(4):503-8. doi: 10.1016/s0886-3350(98)80292-7.

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness of limbal relaxing incisions (LRIs) for correcting corneal astigmatism during cataract surgery.

Setting: Cullen Eye Institute, Houston, Texas, USA.

Methods: In 12 eyes of 11 patients, cataract surgery was combined with LRIs. The LRIs were made according to a modified Gills nomogram and were based on preoperative corneal astigmatism determined with standard keratometry and computerized videokeratography (EyeSys Corneal Analysis System Version 3.2).

Results: The mean preoperative keratometric cylinder was 2.46 +/- 0.81 diopters (D). At 1 month postoperatively, mean arithmetic reduction in keratometric cylinder was 1.12 +/- 0.74 D, and the with-the-wound (WTW) change (calculated by Holladay, Cravy, Koch vector analysis formula) was -0.70 +/- 0.44. From 1 day to 1 month postoperatively, there was 0.55 D of WTW regression with minimal change in the mean cylindrical axis. There were no overcorrections.

Conclusion: Limbal relaxing incisions are a practical, simple, and forgiving approach to the correction of astigmatism during cataract surgery.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Astigmatism / complications
  • Astigmatism / surgery*
  • Cataract / complications
  • Cataract Extraction / methods*
  • Corneal Topography
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lens Implantation, Intraocular
  • Limbus Corneae / surgery*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prospective Studies
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Safety
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Visual Acuity