A comparative study on oblique stab incision sics and phacoemulsification

Abstract

Aim: To study the effectiveness of oblique limbal stab incision in manual SICS in self-sealing, visual outcome and degree of surgically induced astigmatism when compared to phacoemulsification surgery. Surgical steps like superior rectus suture, conjunctival flap and cautery are eliminated in limbal stab incision SICS. Materials and Methods: A Study sample of 100 patients were included. The technique of limbal stab incision SICS was carried out on one eye of 50 patients and was compared with 50 age and sex matched patients undergoing phacoemulsification. A standard preoperative and post-operative care and medications was given to both groups. The patients were subjected to preoperative evaluation such as visual acuity, slit lamp examination, IOP recording, fundus, keratometry and biometry. Periodic follow up was done till 12 weeks postoperatively. Visual acuity by Snellen chart, keratometry to know amount of astigmatism at the end of 12 weeks was compared in both the procedures. Results: The post op visual acuity, SIA in both the groups were found to be equally comparable stating that the modified SICS can be an alternative for phacoemulsification. Conclusion: The modified version of SICS can achieve the following. It can be done less surgical duration. It can be done under topical anaesthesia. Rigid IOL can be placed thereby making the procedure available for patients not affordable for phacoemulsification. No suture is required thereby it causes less astigmatism. Keywords: Oblique stab incision Small incision cataract surgery, Phacoemulsification, Modified SICS.