AIM: To observe the effect of depth of the rigid scleral incision on intraocular lens in astigmatism after cataract surgery.

METHODS: Corneal astigmatism in 46 cases(46 eyes)was measured based on preoperative corneal topography, then they underwent horizontal limbal incision 3mm from the sclera edge, after the operation, they were divided into 2 groups by visante oct: group A of incision depth of 1/2 the depth of the sclera(23 eyes); B group incision depth of 1/3 the depth of the sclera(23 eyes); respectively, after l week, 1 month, 3 months, corneal astigmatism was observed and statistically analyzed.

RESULTS: Postoperatively, uncorrected visual acuity in groups A, B was significantly improved, while according to the test results of corneal topography, astigmatism of postoperative 1 month, 3 months was decreased compared with astigmatism of postoperative 1 week group A had statistical significance.

CONCLUSION: 1/2 scleral incision has less effect on astigmatism for rigid intraocular lens after cataract phacoemulsification.