Stabilization Time of Refractive Errors and Astigmatism after Cataract Surgery Using Phacoemulsification and Foldable Intraocular Lens Implants

Purpose: To evaluate the stabilization time of astigmatism and refractive errors after cataract surgery using phacoemulsification and foldable lens implantation.Patients and Methods: The present cross-sectional study was carried out with convenience sampling method and included patients who underwent cataract surgery using phacoemulsification and implantation of foldable intraocular lens. The patients were evaluated and their data including age, sex, uncorrected visual acuity, best corrected visual acuity,  corneal cylinder, cylinder axis,  Sim K, and intra ocular pressure were recorded prior to the surgery as well as in days 2, 3, 4, weeks 1, 2, 5 and day 75 post surgery. Results: Eighty one eyes of 77 patients with mean age of 61.39 ± 10.9 years were evaluated. The mean follow up time was 60.5 ± 48.86 days. The mean keratometry before surgery was 44.90 ± 1.85 diopters, while the mean axial length, the mean intraocular pressure and the mean astigmatism were 23.15 ± 1.98 mm, 14.01 ± 2.95 mmHg and 0.99 ± 1.10 diopters, respectively. The mean postoperative keratometry at last visit was 45.34 ± 1.80 diopters, and the mean intraocular pressure and astigmatism were, 12.46 ± 2.87 mmHg and 1.14 ± 0.96 diopters, respectively. The mean time for refraction stabilization was 11.46 ± 11.40 days and the mean stabilization time for astigmatism was 10.18 ± 11.34 days. Conclusion: In the present study the mean stabilization time for refraction and astigmatism after cataract surgery in an Iranian population using phacoemulsification and foldable lens implantation was comparable with previous studies.