AIM: To explore the incision influence of small incision cataract surgery on corneal topography of patients, so as to provide a reference for the optimization of operation method.

METHODS: Seventy-one patients(94 eyes)were divided into two groups, which were given straight(group A)and eyebrow arched incision(group B). Patients in both groups A and B were divided into three subgroups respectively, which were given incision with different length from corneal limbus(1.5mm, 2.0mm and 2.5mm). The visual acuity level and corneal topography indexes(ACP, CYL, SAI and SRI)were compared before and after treatment.

RESULTS: There was influence on visual acuity level and corneal topography of incision morphology and length from corneal limbus(P<0.05), and there was difference in acuity level and corneal topography at different test time(P<0.05), and the influence had no interaction with test time(P>0.05). One week after surgery, the visual acuity level of all patients was higher than that before surgery, and 3mo after surgery, it was higher than that of 1wk after surgery too(P<0.05). One week after surgery, ACP, CYL, SAI, SRI level of all patients was higher than that before surgery(P<0.05), and 3mo after surgery, which decreased and had no statistical difference with preoperative levels(P>0.05). Before surgery, there was no significant difference in visual acuity level and corneal topography between groups(P>0.05). One week after surgery, the visual acuity level of subgroup 2.0mm and 2.5mm in group B was higher than the others(P<0.05), and there was no significant difference between(P>0.05). the ACP, CYL, SAI, SRI level of subgroups 2.0mm and 2.5mm in group B were lower than the others, and those of subgroup 2.5mm in group B were higher than those of subgroup 2.0mm of group B(P<0.05). Three months after surgery, there was no significant difference in visual acuity, SAI and SRI levels between groups(P>0.05), but the ACP and CYL level of subgroup 2.0mm and 2.5mm of group B were higher than those of the others(P<0.05), and there was no significant difference between(P>0.05).

CONCLUSION: Using eyebrow arched incision and appropriate distance to corneal limbus in the small incision cataract surgery can reduce the impact on corneal topography and benefit for control of postoperative astigmatism.