Purpose: To evaluate the effect of toric intraocular lens implantation in cataract patient with corneal opacity and high astigmatism.
Methods: 31 eyes of 31 patients who underwent cataract surgery with toric intraocular lens implantation were included. All patients had corneal opacity with astigmatism. Preoperative total corneal astigmatism was determined considering posterior astigmatism using a rotating Scheimpflug camera (Pentacam®: Oculus, Wetzlar, Germany). At 2 months after toric intraocular lens implantation, we evaluated residual astigmatism, uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) and best corrected visual acuity (BCVA).
Results: Postoperative UCVA and BCVA (0.30 ± 0.17, 0.22 ± 0.16LogMAR) statistically improved compared to preoperative UCVA and BCVA (1.2 ± 0.34, 1.1 ± 0.30LogMAR, respectively) (P<0.01). Postoperative residual refractive astigmatism (1.2 ± 0.35D) was statistically reduced compared to preoperative refractive astigmatism (2.4 ± 0.65D) (P<0.05). Preoperative and postoperative total corneal astigmatism values were not statistically different. All cases achieved visual acuity were as good as or better than that preoperatively. The percentage of corneal opacity covering pupillary area had significant negative correlation with postoperative UCVA and BCVA (logMAR) (R=-0.88 P<0.00001 and R=-0.87 P<0.00001, respectively)
Conclusion: Toric intraocular lens implantation can improve UCVA, BCVA, and refractive astigmatism in cataract patient with corneal opacity. The percentage of central corneal opacity covering pupillary area is the major prognostic factor for postoperative visual improvement. Therefore, toric intraocular lens implantation should be considered for cataract patients who have corneal opacity with high astigmatism.