J Korean Ophthalmol Soc.  2006 Oct;47(10):1583-1588.

Comparison of Scleral Tunnel and Clear Cornea Incision in Phacoemulsification Combined with Pars Plana Vitrectomy

• Kim JH
• Kang SM

Abstract

PURPOSE: To compare the results of two different incision METHODS: scleral tunnel vs clear cornea in cases phacoemulsification and posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation combined with pars plana vitrectomy.
METHODS
Between August 2003 and August 2005, 61 eyes with cataract and vitreoretinal diseases were treated by phacoemulsification combined with pars plana vitrectomy and PC-IOL implantation. Preoperative demographic data and postoperative best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), astigmatism change, and complications were analyzed.
RESULTS
The mean age of patients in the scleral tunnel incision (Group 1) and clear corneal incision (Group 2) was 57.09+/-13.72 and 58.83+/-11.83 years respectively. Diabetes mellitus was the most common underlying disease resulting in vitreous opacity. Vision improved in 82% of Group 1 and 78% of Group 2. There was a significant difference in the postoperative astigmatic changes between Group 1 and 2 (1.37+/-1.13D vs 0.78+/-0.67D). No discernible differences such as recurrent vitreous hemorrhage, inflammation in anterior chamber, increased intraocular pressure or iris changes were noted between the two groups.
CONCLUSIONS
Although there was no difference in the postoperative BCVA, two different incision methods yielded significant different postoperative astigmatic changes.

Keyword

Clear corneal incision; Pars plana vitrectomy; Phacoemulsification; Scleral tunnel incision

MeSH Terms

Anterior Chamber
Astigmatism
Cataract
Cornea*
Diabetes Mellitus
Humans
Inflammation
Intraocular Pressure
Iris
Lens Implantation, Intraocular
Phacoemulsification*
Visual Acuity
Vitrectomy*
Vitreous Hemorrhage