Small-Aperture IOL Effective in Patients With Preoperative Corneal Astigmatism

The implantation of a small-aperture intraocular lens (IOL) provides consistent, excellent visual outcomes at all distances for eyes with up to 1.5 D of preoperative corneal astigmatism, according to researchers who presented at the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) 2022 meeting, held in Chicago from September 30 to October 3.

In a recent study, researchers sought to assess efficacy of a non-toric, small-aperture IOL in eyes that have preoperative corneal astigmatism. 

The study included 343 patients with cataracts who received monocular treatment with the IOL. The patients were split into 2 groups based on their preoperative corneal astigmatism, with 273 patients with less than 1.0 D placed into group 1, and the 70 patients with between 1.0 and 1.5 D placed in group 2.

Uncorrected monocular visual acuity for near (UCNVA), intermediate (UCIVA) and distance vision (UCDVA) were recorded at month 12 of the study. 

Researchers found that at the study’s 12-month mark, group 1 achieved UCDVA, UCIVA and UCNVA of 0.10±0.13 (20/25), 0.07±0.16 (20/23) and 0.20±0.13 (20/32) in the eye that received the small aperture lens. With the same device, group 2 achieved UCDVA, UCIVA and UCNVA of 0.09±0.11 (20/25), 0.10±0.18 (20/25) and 0.21±0.16 (20/32), respectively. 

There were no statistically significant differences (P >.05) reported between the 2 groups, concluding that the implantation of  a small-aperture IOL provides consistent positive results among patients with up to 1.5 D of preoperative corneal astigmatism.

Disclosure: The study author declared affiliations with the biotech, pharmaceutical, and/or device companies. Please see the original reference for a full list of the authors’ disclosures.