AIM: To evaluate the changes of corneal refractive power and surgically induced astigmatism(SIA)after small incision non-phacoemmulsification surgery for high myopic eyes with cataract in middle aged and senile people.

METHODS: A retrospective study was done in 145 eyes of 103 middle aged and senile patients with high myopia and cataract who underwent small incision non-phacoemulsification surgery in our hospital. The keratometer was used to measure corneal horizontal refractive power(K1), vertical corneal refractive power(K2)and their axial on postoperative 3d, 1wk, 1 and 3mo. SIA was calculated by sine law and cosine law method.

RESULTS: There was statistically significant difference on average corneal astigmatism at 3d and 1wk compared with that before surgeries(P<0.05). SIA were respectively +1.34±0.12, +0.89±0.27 and -0.42±0.26 at 1wk, 1 and 3mo postoperatively, and the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05). K1 increased by 1.59D and K2 decreased by 1.98D at 3d postoperatively, and there was significant difference between them(P<0.01). The difference between before surgery and after surgeries of K1 decreased in 3mo, which was also similar with the K2. The absolute value of differences between K1 in 3mo were smaller than those of K2, and there were significant differences between them at different time points(P<0.05).

CONCLUSION: Corneal astigmatism is a little larger in short term after small incision non-phacoemulsification surgery for high myopia patients with cataract. The surgery method needed to be improved.