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Article Type

Original Study

Abstract

Objectives The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of sutureless scleral tunnel manual small incision cataract surgery (MSICS) on the postoperative astigmatism in comparison with the effect of phacoemulsification. Background Nonphaco sutureless cataract extraction retains most of the advantages of phacoemulsification with comparable visual outcome and is affordable. Materials and methods Phacoemulsification and MSICS were performed in 20 eyes of 20 patients. Both techniques were performed at the Department of Ophthalmology, Menoufia University Hospital, Menoufia Governorate, Egypt. The study was conducted between 1 September 2011 and 28 February 2013. The outcome was evaluated in both techniques in terms of early visual rehabilitation, surgically induced astigmatism, and final best-corrected visual acuity. Results Of the 20 patients who underwent phacoemulsification, 60% were male patients and 40% were female patients. Of the 20 patients who underwent MSICS, 45% were male patients and 55% were female patients. Both surgical techniques achieved excellent visual outcomes with low complication rates. The initial visual recovery on the first postoperative day was better in the patients who underwent phacoemulsification, with the uncorrected visual acuity better than or equal to 6/18 in 75% of the patients, whereas the percentage was 60% in the MSICS group. The initial difference was nearly equalized within 4 weeks. At the sixth month, 85% of the patients in the MSICS group had uncorrected visual acuity better than or equal to 6/18 versus 90% of the patients in the phacoemulsification group. The surgically induced astigmatism at the sixth month was comparable in both techniques, 1.18 ΁ 0.2 D in the phacoemulsification group versus 1.2 ΁ 0.23 D in the MSICS group. Conclusion Both phacoemulsification and MSICS achieved excellent visual outcomes with low complication rates. MSICS is less technology dependent; hence, it is less expensive and more appropriate for treatment of advanced cataracts prevalent in the developing world.

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