AIM:To analyze effect of the inside incision positions of clear corneal incisions of cataract on astigmatism after surgery was analysis using anterior segment optical coherence tomography.

METHODS: A total of 40 patients of 43 eyes of age-related cataract were chosen. All of them were done 2.8mm clear corneal incision and phacoemulsification with foldable intraocular lens implantation. Preoperative and postoperative 1wk, 1 and 3mo, the corrected visual acuity were examined. Postoperative 1wk, 1 and 3mo, the positions and lengths of the incisions were measured. Depending on the location of the incisions, the patients were divided into two groups. Group 1: the inside mouth of the incisions(22 patients of 23 eyes)were far from the corneal vertex central line> 3mm.Group 2: the inside mouth of the incisions(20 patients of 20 eyes)were far from the corneal vertex central line ≤3mm.

RESULTS:One day before the surgery between Group 1 and Group 2 patients, there were no statistically significant difference(P>0.05)in corrected visual acuity and corneal astigmatism. After the surgery, corrected visual acuity gradually increased, astigmatism and cut lengths gradually decreased. But, there were no statistically significant difference at 1wk, 1 and 3mo(P<0.05).

CONCLUSION:The length of the inside mouth located within radius of the central cornea 3mm was rather longer than the length of the inside mouth located without radius of the central cornea 3mm.The SIA after surgery is greater, and postoperative visual acuity gained maybe less than the latter.