Comparing effect of clear corneal incision and sclera tunnel incision in phacoemulsification on central corneal thickness

To compare the effect of clear corneal incision and sclera tunnel incision on central corneal thickness in eyes undergoing phacoemulsification.

Department of ophthalmology, Government Medical College Haldwani, Nainital, Uttarakhand.

This prospective study included 68 eyes with senile cataract from grade 1 to 3 which underwent phacoemulsification during May 2015 to October 2015 through clear corneal incision or through sclera tunnel incision. Patients were randomly assigned in group 1 with clear corneal incision and group 2 with sclera tunnel incision. All the surgeries were performed by single surgeon using same technique. Postoperatively central corneal thickness were measured with optical non-contact biometry in both the groups on 2^nd post-op day, at 1–2 weeks, 6–8 weeks and at 3 months and compared.

Mean increase in CCT on 2^nd postoperative day was 82μm and 62 μm in Group I and Group II respectively. At 2 weeks it was 51 μm and 23 μm, at 6 weeks it was 30 u μm and 5 μm, at 3 months 4 μm and 5 μm more than the baseline values.

This study revealed that increased CCT as caused by corneal oedema occurring in immediate postoperative period was more in Group I as compared to Group II. The values returned to normal range in 3 months and 2 months in Group I and Group II respectively.