Changes in corneal astigmatism during 20 years after cataract surgery

Astigmatism analysis and reporting of surgically induced astigmatism and prediction error

PURPOSE

To provide a method for determining the vector that, when added to the preoperative astigmatism, results in no prediction error (PE) and to specify statistical methods for evaluating astigmatism and determining the 95% confidence convex polygon.

SETTING

Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, and University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California.

DESIGN

Retrospective consecutive case series.

METHODS

An analysis of 3 clinical trials involving toric intraocular lenses was performed. 3 formulas were evaluated (generic vergence formula with zero surgically induced astigmatism, the Barrett toric formula, and the Holladay toric formula). Scalar and vector analyses were performed on each dataset with each formula and the results compared. Since the PE was not a Gaussian distribution, a 95% convex polygon was used to determine the spread of the data.

RESULTS

The mean values for the vector absolute astigmatism PEs were not different for the 3 formulas and 3 datasets. The Barrett and Holladay toric calculators were statistically superior to the zero formula for 3 intervals (0.75, 1.0, and 1.25) in the high astigmatism dataset.

CONCLUSIONS

Residual astigmatism and vector absolute astigmatism PE mean values and SDs are useful but require extremely large datasets to demonstrate a statistical difference, whereas examining percentages in 0.25 diopters (D) steps from 0.25 to 2.0 D reveals differences with far fewer cases using the McNemar test for a P value. Double-angle plots are especially useful to visualize astigmatic vector PEs, and a 95% confidence convex polygon should be used when distributions are not Gaussian.

Comparison of Long-Term Corneal Astigmatic Changes After Cataract Surgery in Eyes with Superior or Horizontal Clear Corneal Incisions

PURPOSE

To compare long-term corneal astigmatic changes after stabilization of surgically induced astigmatism (SIA) subsequent to phacoemulsification between eyes that underwent superior clear corneal incision (CCI) or horizontal CCI.

DESIGN

Retrospective, comparative case series.

METHODS

We examined the anterior corneal astigmatism of eyes that underwent a 2.4 mm-superior CCI (superior CCI group, n=43) or horizontal CCI (horizontal CCI group, n=43) preoperatively, on the postoperative day that SIA stabilized (baseline), and at ≥7 years post-baseline using an autokeratometer. Corneal astigmatic changes from baseline to ≥7 years post-baseline (mean duration 8.74 years in the superior CCI group and 9.05 years in the horizontal CCI group) were decomposed to vertical/horizontal (Rx) and oblique astigmatic change components (Ry), and compared between the 2 groups.

RESULTS

The mean corneal astigmatism components changed significantly toward against-the-rule (ATR) astigmatism in the superior CCI group and with-the-rule astigmatism in the horizontal CCI group within 6 months postoperatively. After stabilization of the SIA, both groups showed a significant increase in the mean Rx and no significant change in the mean Ry over approximately 9 years, indicating a long-term ATR shift. The mean changes in the Rx and Ry did not differ significantly between the superior and horizontal CCI groups. Double angle-plots revealed a similar degree of ATR shift between the 2 groups over the 9 years.

CONCLUSION

After stabilization of the SIA, a similar degree of ATR change occurred subsequent to superior and horizontal CCIs over approximately 9 years, suggesting that CCI direction does not affect long-term astigmatic changes.

Long-term outcomes of cataract surgery with toric intraocular lens implantation by the type of preoperative astigmatism

Surgical outcomes of toric intraocular lens (IOL) implantation for 8 years after surgery were analyzed. Data were retrospectively collected in 176 eyes of 176 patients before and 1 month, 1, 3, 5, and 8 years after phacoemulsification and implantation of a toric IOL. Preoperative corneal and postoperative manifest astigmatism was analyzed by converting to power vector notations; horizontal/vertical (J₀) and oblique (J₄₅) astigmatism components. Toric IOL implantation significantly reduced pre-existing astigmatism by decreasing J₀ in eyes with preoperative with-the-rule (WTR) astigmatism, increasing J₀ in eyes with against-the-rule (ATR) astigmatism, and correcting J₄₅ in eyes with oblique astigmatism. After surgery, the eyes with preoperative ATR astigmatism showed a significant ATR astigmatic shift, and J₀ at 5 and 8 years was significantly smaller than that at 1 month postoperatively. Uncorrected distance visual acuity was also significantly worse at 5 and 8 years than at 1 month postoperatively. In eyes with WTR and oblique astigmatism, the effects of toric IOLs on astigmatism and visual acuity were sustained for 8 years. The long-term astigmatism-correcting effects did not differ among the models of toric IOL used in this study, SN6AT3–8 (Alcon Laboratories). In eyes with preoperative ATR astigmatism, astigmatism-correcting effects of toric IOLs decreased at 5 years and later postoperatively, indicating that overcorrection may be considered at the time of cataract surgery. In eyes with WTR and oblique astigmatism, the effects of toric IOLs were maintained throughout the 8-year follow-up period.

Dioptric power and refractive behaviour: a review of methods and applications

Myopia is a global healthcare concern and effective analyses of dioptric power are important in evaluating potential treatments involving surgery, orthokeratology, drugs such as low-dose (0.05%) atropine and gene therapy. This paper considers issues of concern when analysing refractive state such as data normality, transformations, outliers and anisometropia. A brief review of methods for analysing and representing dioptric power is included but the emphasis is on the optimal approach to understanding refractive state (and its variation) in addressing pertinent clinical and research questions.

Although there have been significant improvements in the analysis of refractive state, areas for critical consideration remain and the use of power matrices as opposed to power vectors is one such area. Another is effective identification of outliers in refractive data. The type of multivariate distribution present with samples of dioptric power is often not considered. Similarly, transformations of samples (of dioptric power) towards normality and the effects of such transformations are not thoroughly explored. These areas (outliers, normality and transformations) need further investigation for greater efficacy and proper inferences regarding refractive error. Although power vectors are better known, power matrices are accentuated herein due to potential advantages for statistical analyses of dioptric power such as greater simplicity, completeness, and improved facility for quantitative and graphical representation of refractive state.

Impact of small incision sutureless cataract surgery on the natural course of astigmatism in 10 to 20 years

PURPOSE

To retrospectively assess astigmatic changes over 10- and 20-years after small incision cataract surgery.

SETTING

Five ophthalmic surgical sites in Japan.

DESIGN

Retrospective case series.

METHODS

Data were collected from patients who had undergone phacoemulsification and implantation of an intraocular lens (IOL) through a 2.2- to 2.4-mm incision. Preoperative corneal and postoperative manifest astigmatism were converted to power vector notations: horizontal/vertical (J0) and oblique (J45) astigmatism components.

RESULTS

In 422 eyes of 422 patients who were followed up for 10 years, data before and at 1 month, and 1, 3, 5, 8, and 10 years after surgery were analysed. The mean J0 decreased significantly (p<0.001, repeated measures analysis of variance) with an against-the-rule (ATR) shift of 0.363 ± 0.433 D over 10 years, but the mean J45 did not change significantly (p=0.150). Double-angle plot analyses also showed similar ATR shifts in all astigmatism groups. In the subgroup analysis conducted in 34 patients who were followed up for 20 years, J0 declined significantly (p<0.001) by 0.649 ± 0.576 D over 20-year follow-up, while J45 did not (p=0.516). The postoperative changes in J0 and J45 were not significantly different between eyes with preoperative with-the-rule, ATR, or oblique astigmatism.

CONCLUSIONS

Postoperative astigmatism continued to shift towards ATR during the follow-up period of 20 years after small incision cataract surgery, which appears to reflect the natural course of corneal astigmatic changes that commonly occur with aging. ATR astigmatic shifts were similar in both pattern and magnitude regardless of the type of preoperative astigmatism.

Comparison of long-term astigmatic changes following cataract surgery among types of corneal astigmatism

AIMS

To examine whether long-term corneal astigmatic changes after stabilisation of surgically induced astigmatism (SIA) following cataract surgery differ among eyes having against-the-rule (ATR), with-the-rule (WTR), and oblique astigmatism.

METHODS

Anterior corneal astigmatism of 390 eyes in 390 patients (130 eyes each having ATR, WTR and oblique astigmatism) who underwent phacoemulsification with a horizontal clear corneal or scleral incision and 390 eyes in 390 control patients without surgery were examined using an auto-keratometer on the day that SIA stabilised (baseline) and at ≥8 years post baseline. Changes in corneal astigmatism during the ≥8 years post baseline were decomposed to vertical/horizontal (Rx) and oblique astigmatism components (Ry), and compared among baseline types of astigmatism and between eyes with and without surgery.

RESULTS

The mean corneal astigmatic changes (Rx and Ry) showed an ATR shift of 0.2-0.3 D during the ≥8 years post baseline, which did not differ significantly among the ATR, WTR and oblique astigmatism groups in eyes with and without surgery. In the ATR, WTR and oblique groups, the mean Rx and Ry did not differ significantly between eyes with and without surgery. Double angle plots revealed an equivalent degree of ATR change in the ATR, WTR and oblique groups between eyes with and without surgery.

CONCLUSION

Long-term corneal astigmatic changes towards ATR astigmatism occurred to a similar extent in eyes having ATR, WTR, oblique astigmatism and were comparable between eyes with and without surgery, suggesting that astigmatism type need not be considered when planning astigmatism correction.

Posterior Corneal Asphericity Effect on Postoperative Astigmatism after EDOF Intraocular Lens Implantation in Cataract Patients

Aim

To assess the impact of posterior corneal asphericity on postoperative astigmatism.

Methods

We included retrospectively 70 eyes of 70 patients that underwent cataract surgery. We included data of the Q value, K_max, K1, K2, astigmatism AL, and ACD. We performed a vectorial analysis to calculate the astigmatic vectors.

Results

Seventy eyes were evaluated. 40 eyes were of females (58%) and 30 of males (42%). The average cohort age was 73 ± 8.9 years. Axial length (AL) was 23.5 ± 0.9, anterior chamber depth (ACD) was 3.13 ± 0.3, and the average posterior Q value was −0.35 ± 0.2. The only significant predictive variable for the correction index (CI) was the posterior Q value (r = 0.24, p < 0.05) and for the surgically induced astigmatism (SIA) (β = 0.34, r = 0.58, p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Posterior corneal surface asphericity significantly influences the surgically induced astigmatism and the overcorrection for cataract patients after Lucidis EDOF IOL implantation.

Long-term changes in the refractive effect of a toric intraocular lens on astigmatism correction

Purpose

To examine the long-term changes in the astigmatism-correcting effect of a toric intraocular lens (IOL) after stabilization of surgically induced astigmatic changes due to cataract surgery.

Methods

Unilateral eyes of 120 patients that received a toric IOL for against-the-rule (ATR) or with-the-rule (WTR) astigmatism were enrolled. Manifest refractive and anterior corneal astigmatism, and ocular residual astigmatism which is mainly derived from internal optics were examined preoperatively, at approximately 2 months postoperatively (baseline) and at 5 ~ 10 years postbaseline. The astigmatism was decomposed to vertical/horizontal (Rx) and oblique components (Ry), which was compared between baseline and 5 ~ 10 years postbaseline.

Results

In the eyes having ATR astigmatism, the mean Rx and Ry of the manifest refractive and corneal astigmatism significantly changed toward ATR astigmatism between the baseline and 5 ~ 10 years postbaseline (p ≤ 0.0304), but those of ocular residual astigmatism did not change significantly between the 2 time points. In the eyes having WTR astigmatism, the Rx and Ry of refractive, corneal, and ocular residual astigmatism did not change significantly between the 2 time points. Double-angle plots revealed an ATR shift in refractive and corneal astigmatism and no marked change in the ocular residual astigmatism in the eyes with ATR astigmatism, and there is no change in this astigmatism in the eyes with WTR astigmatism.

Conclusion

The long-term changes with age in the effect of a toric IOL significantly deteriorated due to an ATR shift of corneal astigmatism in the eyes having ATR astigmatism, while it was maintained in eyes having WTR astigmatism, suggesting that ATR astigmatism should be overcorrected.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00417-021-05406-7.

Long-Term Changes in Manifest Refraction Subsequent to Cataract Surgery

PURPOSE

To examine the long-term refractive changes after stabilization of surgically induced changes (SICs) subsequent to cataract surgery.

SETTING

Private hospital.

DESIGN

Case-control study.

METHODS

Manifest refraction of 300 eyes of 300 patients that underwent phacoemulsification and 300 eyes of 300 age- and sex-matched patients without surgery was examined the day on which SICs stabilized (baseline) and ≥7 years postbaseline using an autorefractometer. Refraction was divided into 3 components: spherical power (M), vertical/horizontal astigmatism (J0), and oblique astigmatism (J45) using power vector analysis, and the components were compared between the 2 time-points and between groups.

RESULTS

In the surgery group, the mean M and J45 did not change significantly between baseline and ≥7 years postbaseline, but the J0 significantly decreased between the 2 time-points (P < .001), indicating an against-the-rule (ATR) shift. In the non-surgery group, the mean M significantly increased and J0 significantly decreased between the time-points (P < .001), whereas J45 did not change significantly. The mean change in M between the 2 time-points was significantly smaller in the surgery group (P < .001), whereas the changes in J0 and J45 did not differ significantly between the time-points.

CONCLUSION

Spherical power did not change and refractive astigmatism significantly changed toward ATR astigmatism during the more than 7-year follow-up after stabilization of SICs in pseudophakic eyes, while hyperopic and ATR shifts occurred in phakic eyes, and the astigmatic changes were comparable between pseudophakic and phakic eyes.

Prevalence and Age-Related Changes of Corneal Astigmatism in Patients Undergoing Cataract Surgery in Northern China

Purpose

To examine the magnitude, orientation, and age-related changes of corneal astigmatism of the eyes before cataract surgery. Setting. Hebei Eye Hospital, Hebei, China.

Design

A clinical-based retrospective study.

Results

The study consisted of 5662 eyes of 5662 consecutive cataract surgery patients with a mean age of 68.26 ± 10.39 (mean ± standard deviation (SD)) years (range 40 to 97 years), and 59.86% of the patients were women. Mean corneal astigmatism was 0.98 ± 0.76 diopter (D) (range 0.00-9.61 D). Corneal astigmatism of 0.50-0.99 D was the most common range of values (30.08%), followed by 1.00-1.49 D (22.15%), ≤0.50 D (21.21%), and 1.50-1.99 D (10.28%). There was a strong U-shaped relation between corneal astigmatism and age (p for nonlinearity <.01). With the increase of age, the astigmatism axis gradually changes from with-the-rule (WTR) to against-the-rule (ATR). Moreover, in young patients with age below 65 years, WTR astigmatism was negatively correlated with age, while ATR was positively correlated with age (r = -0.11, p=.001; r = 0.10, p=.010, respectively). However, in the old patients with age above and equal to 65 years, all types of astigmatism were positively correlated with age.

Conclusion

This study may provide valuable and practical information to surgeons when selecting the appropriate surgical method and toric intraocular lens (IOLs).

How much astigmatism to treat in cataract surgery

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Astigmatism correction in cataract surgery is a common surgical challenge. Although there are numerous approaches to its treatment during cataract surgery, there remains a lack of consensus on what level of postoperative astigmatism to target. We examine the literature to determine the effect of astigmatism on visual function and provide a recommendation on how much to treat in cataract surgery.

RECENT FINDINGS

Distance visual acuity decreases as myopic, hyperopic, or mixed astigmatism increases. Near visual acuity decreases with hyperopic astigmatism but improves with myopic astigmatism. The effect of astigmatism is generally independent of axis; however, against-the-rule (ATR) astigmatism with mild myopia may benefit reading. A progressive ATR shift occurs with age whether or not an individual undergoes cataract surgery. In the presence of higher order aberrations, correction of astigmatism below 0.5 D shows minimal practical benefit. Presbyopia-correcting intraocular lenses (IOLs) are sensitive to astigmatism but achieve distance visual acuities similar to monofocal IOLs and reach their full near and/or intermediate potential when residual astigmatism 0.5 D or less.

SUMMARY

In cataract surgery, we recommend correction to 0.5 D or less of postoperative residual astigmatism to achieve optimum visual function and patient satisfaction following cataract surgery.

Influence of preoperative astigmatism on corneal biomechanics and accurate intraocular pressure measurement after micro-incision phacoemulsification

AIM

To define the corneal hysteresis (CH), corneal resistance factor (CRF), Goldmann-correlated intraocular pressure (IOPg) and corneal compensated intraocular pressure (IOPcc) prior to and following coaxial micro-incision phacoemulsification in patients with corneal astigmatism.

METHODS

Of 97 patients with cataracts were enrolled in the study. Group 1 included patients with corneal astigmatism (K1-K2) values of K1-K2<+1.0 D, and group 2 with values of K1-K2 ≥+1.0 D and ≤+2.25 D. Coaxial micro-incision phacoemulsification of a corneal incision of 2.0 mm with intraocular lens (IOL) implantation was performed. CH, CRF, IOPg, IOPcc, waveform score (WS) were measured preoperatively and one week, one month postoperatively using an Ocular Response Analyzer. Axial length (AXL) was calculated by Tomey Optical Biometer OA 2000.

RESULTS

Group 1 consisted of 51 patients with mean corneal astigmatism value of +0.49±0.25 D. Group 2 included 46 patients with astigmatism of +1.43±0.43 D. In group 1, CRF (t=2.68, P<0.05), CH (t=2.64, P<0.05) and WS (t=3.51, P<0.05) were significantly lower one week postoperatively, when compared to the preoperative values. CRF significantly decreased (t=3.61, P<0.05) when measured one month following the surgery. In group 2 CH (t=5.92, P<0.05), and WS (t=3.96, P<0.05) were significantly lowered one week after cataract surgery. Moreover, we observed a significant decrease in IOPg (t=2.24, P<0.05), CRF (t=5.05, P<0.05) and CH (t=2.31, P<0.05) one month after phacoemulsification. There was no statistically significant (t=-0.83, P=0.41) difference in AXL between study groups.

CONCLUSION

CRF, CH and IOPg are reduced in patients with preoperative corneal astigmatism equal or higher than +1.0 D and lower than +2.25 D. Hence, bias of IOPg measurement in these patients may cause underestimation of the real IOP both before and after cataract surgery. The measurement of IOPcc allows the precise assessment of IOP pre- and postoperatively, independently on corneal astigmatism, CH and CRF values.

Improving toric intraocular lens calculations using total surgically induced astigmatism for a 2.5 mm temporal incision

PURPOSE

To determine in cataract surgery the total surgically induced astigmatism (SIA) that accounts for all factors that contribute to the difference between preoperative keratometric and postoperative refractive astigmatism other than any toricity of an intraocular lens (IOL).

SETTING

Twenty surgical sites in the United States.

DESIGN

Retrospective case series.

METHODS

An analysis was performed of 4 clinical trials involving toric IOLs and nontoric IOLs in standard cataract surgery. Data included preoperative keratometry and manifest refraction measurements at multiple postoperative visits. For each eye with a nontoric IOL, the total SIA vector was calculated as the vector difference between postoperative refractive and preoperative keratometric astigmatism. The relationship between the total SIA vector and meridian of preoperative keratometric astigmatism was determined and used to develop a new calculation algorithm for toric IOL implantation. The algorithm was tested retrospectively to identify optimum candidate eyes for various cylinder power toric IOLs as well as to compare results with the Barrett toric calculator.

RESULTS

The total SIA vector was a significant contributor to surgically associated astigmatic changes in eyes receiving nontoric IOLs. The total SIA vector was dependent on the preoperative steep meridian in a consistent fashion, allowing development of a new calculation algorithm for toric IOL correction. Retrospectively applying this algorithm to toric IOL cases led to significantly improved differences between toric and nontoric control populations.

CONCLUSIONS

Total SIA analysis is a new approach for toric IOL surgery. Because it considers all factors that may influence outcomes, the total SIA is a useful inclusion in toric IOL surgical planning.

Age-related changes in with-the-rule and oblique corneal astigmatism

PURPOSE

To describe the age-related changes in with-the-rule (WTR) and oblique keratometric astigmatism (KA), posterior corneal astigmatism (PCA) and total corneal astigmatism (TCA).

METHODS

We used a Pentacam HR (high-resolution) rotating Scheimpflug camera to determine the KA, PCA and TCA in the right eyes of 710 patients, aged from 20 to 88 years. The age-related changes along the vertical, horizontal and oblique meridians were analyzed with Naeser's polar value method in a cross-sectional study.

RESULTS

In the whole group, all meridional astigmatic powers and polar values were stable in the age groups from 20 to 49 years, followed by a 1.0 dioptre (D) against-the-rule (ATR) change in KA and TCA, and a 0.12 D reduction in against-the-rule PCA. A nasal rotation of the steep meridian in KA and TCA was noted in the 70-88 years old. The PCA averaged approximately 0.25 D ATR in all age groups. Females displayed the same early astigmatic stability as in the whole group, while male eyes demonstrated a linear decay from 1.5 D WTR at 20 years to 0.5 D ATR astigmatism for the oldest patients.

CONCLUSION

Corneal astigmatism is stable until the age of 50 years; thereafter both keratometric and total corneal astigmatism show a 0.25 D ATR change per 10 years. The average 0.25 D ATR PCA compensates the predominant keratometric WTR astigmatism in the younger patients and increases the TCA in the elderly with keratometric ATR astigmatism. The gender-based differences in age-related astigmatism require further studies.

Corneal astigmatism in cataract surgery patients from Bosnia and Herzegovina

PURPOSE

To determine corneal astigmatism prevalence, its correlations with age and symmetry pattern in fellow eyes of patients undergoing cataract surgery.

METHODS

This is a clinical-based retrospective cross-sectional study. Keratometry measurements of patients undergoing cataract surgery assigned to University Clinical Center Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina, between January 2011 and June 2012 were recorded and analyzed retrospectively.

RESULTS

The study consisted of 4080 eyes of 2205 consecutive cataract surgery patients with a mean age of 68.24 years ± 9.25 (SD) (range 32-84 years), and 54.0% of the patients were women. Mean corneal astigmatism was 0.72 ± 0.61 D (range 0-6.5 D). The prevalence of corneal astigmatism 1.0 D or more was in 1291 eyes (31.64%), 1.5 D or more in 736 eyes (18.03%), 2.0 D or more in 396 eyes (9.71%) and 3.0 D or more in 108 eyes (2.65%). There was no significant difference in the magnitude of astigmatism between age groups (p = 0.10), male and female (p = 0.29) or right and left (p = 0.75) eyes. The prevalence and amount of astigmatism increased with age (p < 0.05). Gradual shift from with-the-rule astigmatism toward against-the-rule astigmatism was observed (p = 0.03). Patients with higher amount of astigmatism in one eye are more likely to have significant astigmatism in fellow eye (p < 0.01). Symmetry in pairs of eyes is present in eyes with astigmatism greater than 2.5 D (p < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

This study provides useful reference data for cataract surgeons and patients from Bosnia and Herzegovina.