AIM: To compare the impact of different incision positions of phacoemulsification cataract exaction on corneal astigmatism.

METHODS:Totally 412 patients(456 eyes)who had undergone the phacoemulsification and IOL implantation from June 2006 to June 2013 were randomly divided into two groups(each 228 eyes): observation group(incision above the middle of the limbus for the rule astigmatism, at the temporal for against the rule astigmatism, at the top of the temporal regulation on the maximum curvature of the meridian of the cornea for oblique astigmatism, at the top of the temporal for patients without astigmatism); control group(incision at top and middle of limbus), using a 3mm cornea scleral tunnel incision without suture, 2mm from the limbus. Corneal refractive status of preoperative and postoperative at different times were detected by corneal refractive, comparing the impact of different surgical incision on postoperative corneal astigmatism.

RESULTS:The visual acuity of 1, 3mo postoperative of observation group was significantly better than the control group(P<0.05). The average astigmatism of 1, 3mo postoperative of observation group was significantly lower than the control group(P<0.05). Corneal astigmatism 3mo postoperative of observation group was significantly lower than preoperative(P<0.05). Corneal astigmatism 3mo postoperative of control group was significantly higher than preoperative(P<0.05).

CONCLUSION:Incision at the corneal curvature of the largest radial could correct preoperative astigmatism and improve visual acuity to a certain extent.