AIM: To observe the effect of 1.8mm coaxial micro-incision cataract phacoemulsification on corneal astigmatism, and compared with the effect of traditional 3.2mm small incision cataract phacoemulsification.

METHODS: Totally 160 patients(168 eyes)with age-related cataract were selected, whose age from 50 to 83 years old. Their lens opacities classification was Ⅱ-Ⅴ grade. Two groups were divided randomly and each group included 84 eyes. They performed 1.8mm coaxial micro-incision(micro-vision group)and traditional 3.2mm small incision(control group)of cataract phacoemulsification respectively. After 1d, 1wk, 1mo follow-up, their naked vision and astigmatism changes were recorded. The χ²-test and t-test was used for the statistical analysis.

RESULTS: After 1d, 1wk, 1mo of the micro-incision surgery, naked vision ≥0.5 of the patients were 79%, 83% and 94% respectively. In control group, naked vision ≥0.5 were 46%, 64% and 85% respecticvely. There was significant difference between the two groups(P<0.05). The average corneal astigmatism of micro-incision group was 0.75±0.45D on 1d after surgery, and that of the control group was 1.12±0.55D. There were significant difference between two groups(P<0.01). After 1wk and 1mo, the average corneal astigmatism of micro incision group was 0.76±0.40D and 0.65±0.35D, and the average corneal astigmatism of control group was 1.05±0.53D and 0.85±0.43D. The two groups were statistically significant(P<0.05).

CONCUSION: The corneal astigmatism of 1.8mm coaxial micro-incision cataract phacoemulsification was smaller than that of the conventional phacoemulsification and visual recovery was also better after surgery.