Clinical results of arcuate incisions to correct astigmatism

Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness of arcuate incisions for correcting congenital, post-cataract, post-radial keratotomy, and post-trapezoidal keratotomy astigmatism. Setting: Buzard Eye Institute, Las Vegas, Nevada. Methods: In this retrospective study, 46 eyes of 29 patients had arcuate incisions to correct astigmatism. The average age of patients was 52 years. Results: Mean preoperative astigmatism was 3.51 +/- 1.57 D (keratometric) and 3.41 +/- 1.44 D (manifest). Mean preoperative uncorrected visual acuity was 20/80, ranging from 20/30 to 20/400. Thirty eyes had a pair of 45-degree arcuate incisions, 10 eyes had a pair of 60-degree arcuate incisions, and 6 eyes had a pair of 90-degree arcuate incisions. Mean follow-up was 6 months, Mean postoperative astigmatism was 1.46 +/- 1.07 D (keratometric) and 1.05 +/- 0.94 D (manifest), with a reduction of astigmatism in all operated eyes. Mean postoperative uncorrected visual acuity was 20/32, ranging from 20/20 to 20/60. The analysis of the vector astigmatic change showed that only two patients were overcorrected after the procedure. Conclusion: The predictability and safety of arcuate incisions are reflected in these results.