Total Corneal Astigmatism Research Articles

Posterior corneal astigmatism modifications after cataract surgery and its role on total corneal astigmatism

Background: In recent years posterior corneal astigmatism and its effect on total corneal astigmatism has been studied, with research showing that this can impact total astigmatism. This study aims to ascertain if there is significant change in the posterior corneal astigmatism after cataract surgery and its impact on the total astigmatism. Methods: Analysis of 76 eyes that underwent cataract surgery with monofocal intraocular lens implantation. Corneal topography was performed with Pentacam (OCULUS ® ) pre- and post-operatively. Total corneal astigmatism was calculated with the algorithm of vergence tracing. We compared preoperative and postoperative changes in the magnitude and axis differences of anterior corneal curvature astigmatism, posterior corneal curvature astigmatism and the calculated total corneal astigmatism. We calculated the correlation between the total preoperative astigmatism and the difference between total corneal astigmatism and anterior corneal astigmatism. Results: The mean preoperative and postoperative posterior astigmatism was 0.31±0.02 D, showing no significant differences before and after surgery (P=0.989). Statistically significant differences between the calculated total corneal astigmatism and anterior corneal astigmatism were registered preoperatively and postoperatively in the with-the-rule anterior (WTR) corneal astigmatism (P=0.004, P<0.0001); against-the-rule (ATR) anterior corneal astigmatism (P<0.0001, P<0.0001) and in the oblique (P=0.026, P=0.019) subgroups. The posterior corneal astigmatism and the total corneal astigmatism correlated positively with the differences between the total corneal and anterior corneal astigmatism (R=0.378, P=0.001). Conclusions: There were statistically significant differences between the magnitude of the total astigmatism and anterior corneal astigmatism, underlining the impact of posterior corneal astigmatism. A positive correlation between the preoperative posterior astigmatism and the difference between the total corneal and the anterior corneal astigmatism suggests a specially relevant role of posterior corneal astigmatism when evaluating patients with higher degrees of astigmatism.

Improving the Toric Intraocular Lens Calculation by Considering Posterior Corneal Astigmatism and Surgically-induced Corneal Astigmatism.

PurposeTo investigate the effect of surgically induced corneal astigmatism (SICA) and total corneal astigmatism (TCA) estimation on the anterior corneal astigmatism (ACA)-based toric intraocular lens (IOL) calculation.MethodsData from preoperative and postoperative corneal astigmatism, postoperative visual acuities, and refractive outcomes were collected. The incision was superior in with the rule anterior corneal astigmatism (WTRA) eyes and temporal in against the rule anterior corneal astigmatism eyes. The following five methods of calculating the toric IOL were compared: (1) ACA only and estimated SICA; (2) ACA with a fixed posterior corneal astigmatism (PCA) and estimated SICA; (3) ACA with a fixed PCA value and actual SICA; (4) and (5) TCA derived from the regression equations of ACA and actual SICA. The residual astigmatism was simulated. The Alpins method was used to analyze the astigmatism.ResultsSixty eyes from 46 patients were enrolled. Thirty eyes had WTRA and the other thirty had against the rule anterior corneal astigmatism. The vector and arithmetic means of the difference vector decreased when the information regarding the actual SICA and PCA was added to the calculation (from 0.59 diopters [D] @ 87.5° to 0.15 D @ 48.5°, and from 0.95 ± 0.53 to 0.71 ± 0.63 D, respectively; p < 0.001). The mean difference vector across the whole sample was lowest using model 5. The correction index was significantly closest to 1.0 in the WTRA group.ConclusionsResearchers may improve the accuracy of post-implantation predictions by calculating toric IOL using exact SICA and TCA, with consideration of the PCA derived from the regression equation of ACA.

Characteristics of Posterior Corneal Astigmatism in Different Stages of Keratoconus.

Purpose:To evaluate the magnitudes and axis orientation of anterior corneal astigmatism (ACA) and posterior corneal astigmatism (PCA), the ratio of ACA to PCA, and the correlation between ACA and PCA in the different stages of keratoconus (KCN).Methods:This retrospective case series comprised 161 eyes of 161 patients with KCN (104 men, 57 women; mean age, 22.35 ± 6.10 years). The participants were divided into four subgroups according to the Amsler-Krumeich classification. A Scheimpflug imaging system was used to measure the magnitude and axis orientation of ACA and PCA. The posterior-anterior corneal astigmatism ratio was also calculated. The results were compared among different subgroups.Results:The average amounts of anterior, posterior, and total corneal astigmatism were 4.08 ± 2.21 diopters (D), 0.86 ± 0.46 D, and 3.50 ± 1.94 D, respectively. With-the-rule, against-the-rule, and oblique astigmatisms of the posterior surface of the cornea were found in 61 eyes (37.9%), 67 eyes (41.6%), and 33 eyes (20.5%), respectively; corresponding figures in the anterior corneal surface were 55 eyes (32.4%), 56 eyes (34.8%), and 50 eyes (31.1%), respectively. A strong correlation (P ≤ 0.001, r = 0.839) was found between ACA and PCA in the different stages of KCN; the correlation was weaker in eyes with grade 3 (P ≤ 0.001, r = 0.711) and grade 4 (P ≤ 0.001, r = 0.717) KCN. The maximum posterior-anterior corneal astigmatism ratio (PCA/ACA, 0.246) was found in patients with stage 1 KCN.Conclusion:Corneal astigmatism in anterior surface was more affected than posterior surface by increasing in the KCN severity, although PCA was more affected than ACA in an early stage of KCN.

Internal Astigmatism and Its Role in the Growth of Axial Length in School-Age Children.

Objectives To explore the role of internal astigmatism (IA) in the growth of axial length (AL) in school-age children. Methods Total astigmatism (TA), corneal astigmatism (CA), and AL of all children in Jing'an District 2nd Centre Primary School in Shanghai were measured. In IA, the difference between TA and CA was also calculated using vector analysis. The association of axial length with IA, genders, and age was analyzed using linear regression. The difference of IA between both eyes was also calculated. The AL between both eyes was compared using paired samples t-test when DIA = 0 D, <0.5 D, and ≥0.5 D. Results Six hundred and twelve cases (98.23%) in 623 children aged 7–12 yrs older entered into the study. Genders, age, and IA all affected AL. This could be represented by a linear regression line in the form AL = 21.46 − 0.43∗gender + 0.22∗age + 0.46∗IA (male = 1, female = 2; t = 7.01, P < 0.01 for sex; t = 11.6, P < 0.01 for age; and t = 6.6, P < 0.01 for IA; R2 = 0.16). The AL in the eye with larger IA was also longer when DIA was larger than 0.5 D (t = 2.65, P < 0.01). Conclusions IA was observed to be associated with AL and might be a risk factor of the onset and progress of myopia in school-age children.

Evaluating internal and ocular residual astigmatism in Chinese myopic children.

To investigate the nature of internal astigmatism (IA) and ocular residual astigmatism (ORA) in Chinese myopic children and to identify factors that may influence IA and ORA. A total of 206 eyes of 206 myopic children (97 boys and 109 girls; 10.95±2.2years) were enrolled in this cross sectional study. Total ocular astigmatism (TOA), anterior corneal astigmatism (ACA), posterior corneal astigmatism (PCA) and total corneal astigmatism (TCA) were measured directly using either a Hartmann-Shack wavefront sensor or a Pentacam. IA and ORA were calculated by Fourier vector analyses (the definitions of IA and ORA are: IA=TOA - ACA - PCA, ORA=TOA - ACA). Spearman or Pearson correlation was adopted to detect multiple factors that may influence IA and ORA, which were then predicted by linear regressions. Modified compensation factors were applied to evaluate the inter-relationship between corneal astigmatism and ORA. While the mean values of IA and ORA were -0.52 DC×94.8° and -0.63 DC×93.0°, respectively, the percentage of ORA power over 1.00 D was as high as 28.64%. Full or under-compensation of ACA by ORA predominated in the enrolled subjects. The mean ORA J0 and J45 were -0.311±0.236 and -0.032±0.156 D, respectively, negatively correlated with the corresponding ACA components (J0: r=-0.276, J45: r=-0.616, p<0.001). While age was not correlated with either IA or ORA (p>0.1), the power of IA or ORA was correlated inversely with the axial length (IA: r=-0.193, p=0.005; ORA: r=-0.169, p=0.015) and positively with the spherical equivalent refraction (IA r=0.195, p=0.005; ORA r=0.213, p=0.002) and power of corneal astigmatism (IA-ACA: r=0.302, IA-TCA: r=0.368, ORA-ACA: r=0.334, ORA-TCA: r=0.293). Girls had larger IA powers than boys (0.741±0.345 D vs 0.651±0.340, p=0.036). Full or under-compensation of ACA by ORA is common in Chinese myopic children, and the compensation efficiency may decrease with age. Among Chinese children with myopia, a larger ORA is more prevalent with less myopia and greater corneal astigmatism.

Age-Related Changes in Corneal Astigmatism.

To analyze the changes in corneal astigmatism as a function of age and develop a novel model to estimate corneal astigmatic change according to age. This was a cross-sectional study of right eyes of 3,769 individuals. Total corneal astigmatism, keratometric astigmatism, anterior corneal astigmatism, and posterior corneal astigmatism were measured by a Scheimpflug tomographer. Smoothing fitting curves of polar values of corneal astigmatism as a function of age were drawn and average changes in corneal astigmatism at different ages were calculated. Two turning points of age on total corneal astigmatism were 36 and 69 years. The average change of total corneal astigmatism toward against-the-rule astigmatism was 0.13 diopters (D)/10 years from 18 to 35 years, 0.45 D/10 years from 36 to 68 years, and decreased after 69 years, mainly caused by anterior corneal astigmatism. The mean magnitude of posterior corneal astigmatism was -0.33 D and exceeded 0.50 D in 14.27% of eyes. The vectorial difference between total corneal astigmatism and keratometric astigmatism was correlated with posterior corneal astigmatism, polar value of anterior corneal astigmatism, age, and corneal higher order aberrations (r = 0.636; standard partial regression coefficients were 0.479, -0.466, 0.282, and 0.196, respectively; all P < .001). Based on the non-linear model to estimate corneal astigmatic change with age, a formula was developed to calculate recommended correction of astigmatism according to age and astigmatic type. The rate of change of total corneal astigmatism showed a non-linear trend toward against-the-rule astigmatism, which was low at young and old age, high at middle age, and should be taken into account when performing surgery to correct astigmatism. [J Refract Surg. 2017;33(10):696-703.].

Optimized keratometry and total corneal astigmatism for toric intraocular lens calculation

To compare keratometric astigmatism (KA) and different modalities of measuring total corneal astigmatism (TCA) for toric intraocular lens (IOL) calculation and optimize corneal measurementsto eliminate the residual refractive astigmatism. G.B. Bietti Foundation IRCCS, Rome, Italy. Prospective case series. Patients who had a toric IOL were enrolled. Preoperatively, a Scheimpflug camera (Pentacam HR) was used to measure TCA through ray tracing. Different combinations of measurements at a 3.0mm diameter, centered on the pupil or the corneal vertex and performed along a ring or within it, were compared. Keratometric astigmatism was measured using the same Scheimpflug camera and a corneal topographer (Keratron). Astigmatism was analyzed with Næser's polar value method. The optimized preoperative corneal astigmatism was back-calculated from the postoperative refractive astigmatism. The study comprised 62 patients (64 eyes). With both devices, KA produced an overcorrection of with-the-rule (WTR) astigmatism by 0.6 diopter (D) and an undercorrection of against-the-rule (ATR) astigmatism by 0.3 D. The lowest meridional error in refractive astigmatism was achieved by the TCA pupil/zone measurement in WTR eyes (0.27 D overcorrection) and the TCA apex/zone measurement in ATR eyes (0.07 D undercorrection). In the whole sample, no measurement allowed more than 43.75% of eyes to yield an absolute error in astigmatism magnitude lower than 0.5 D. Optimized astigmatism values increased the percentage of eyes with this error up to 57.81%, with no difference compared with the Barrett calculator and the Abulafia-Koch calculator. Compared with KA, TCA improved calculations for toric IOLs; however, optimization of corneal astigmatism measurements led to more accurate results.

Agreement between total corneal astigmatism calculated by vector summation and total corneal astigmatism measured by ray tracing using Galilei double Scheimpflug analyzer

PurposeTo evaluate the agreement between total corneal astigmatism calculated by vector summation of anterior and posterior corneal astigmatism (TCAVec) and total corneal astigmatism measured by ray tracing (TCARay). MethodsThis study enrolled a total of 204 right eyes of 204 normal subjects. The eyes were measured using a Galilei double Scheimpflug analyzer. The measured parameters included simulated keratometric astigmatism using the keratometric index, anterior corneal astigmatism using the corneal refractive index, posterior corneal astigmatism, and TCARay. TCAVec was derived by vector summation of the astigmatism on the anterior and posterior corneal surfaces. The magnitudes and axes of TCAVec and TCARay were compared. The Pearson correlation coefficient and Bland–Altman plots were used to assess the relationship and agreement between TCAVec and TCARay, respectively. ResultsThe mean TCAVec and TCARay magnitudes were 0.76±0.57D and 1.00±0.78D, respectively (P<0.001). The mean axis orientations were 85.12±30.26° and 89.67±36.76°, respectively (P=0.02). Strong correlations were found between the TCAVec and TCARay magnitudes (r=0.96, P<0.001). Moderate associations were observed between the TCAVec and TCARay axes (r=0.75, P<0.001). Bland–Altman plots produced the 95% limits of agreement for the TCAVec and TCARay magnitudes from −0.33 to 0.82D. The 95% limits of agreement between the TCAVec and TCARay axes was −43.0 to 52.1°. ConclusionThe magnitudes and axes of astigmatisms measured by the vector summation and ray tracing methods cannot be used interchangeably. There was a systematic error between the TCAVec and TCARay magnitudes.

The Effects of Distance Between the Corneal Apex and the Inner and Outer Corneal Wound Edges on Corneal Astigmatism After Cataract Surgery

To compare the effects of the distance from the inner and outer corneal incision wounds to the corneal apex on the changes in corneal astigmatism after cataract surgery. Seventy-two eyes with anterior corneal astigmatism less than 2.50 diopters (D) were evaluated. The distance between the incision wound and the corneal apex was measured using the Pentacam (Oculus Optikgeräte, Wetzlar, Germany) Scheimpflug image and the Image J program (National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD). Patients were subgrouped into the inner incision distance close (less than 4,816.44 µm) and far (4,816.44 µm or greater) groups based on the median value of inner incision distance and the outer incision distance close (less than 6,131.77 µm) and far (6,131.77 µm or greater) groups based on the median value of outer incision distance. In the inner incision distance group, the mean change in anterior, posterior, and total corneal astigmatism at 1 week and anterior astigmatism at 1 month were statistically significantly greater in the inner incision close group than in the inner incision far group. In the outer incision distance group, the mean change in anterior corneal astigmatism at 1 week was statistically significantly greater in the close group than in the far group. Surgically induced astigmatism (SIA) of the posterior cornea showed a statistically significant increase in the inner incision close group compared to the inner incision far group 1 month postoperatively, whereas there were no significant differences in the outer incision distance groups. Inner incision distance significantly correlated with the mean change in anterior and posterior corneal astigmatism and posterior SIA at 1 week postoperatively. Corneal astigmatism was affected more by inner incision distance than outer incision distance, and a larger change in the posterior SIA was noted with decreasing inner incision distance. During cataract surgery, the position of the inner corneal incision should be considered rather than the outer incision. [J Refract Surg. 2017;33(7):460-468.].

Estimating Total Corneal Astigmatism From Anterior Corneal Data.

To determine keratometric astigmatism (KA), posterior corneal astigmatism (PCA), and total corneal astigmatism (TCA) in 951 normal eyes, to establish a model for estimating TCA from anterior corneal data, and to test this method in a new group of eyes with toric intraocular lenses (TIOLs). We used a Pentacam HR (high-resolution) Scheimpflug camera to determine KA, PCA, and TCA in 951 normal eyes. A model to estimate TCA from anterior corneal data was evaluated by the difference (=error) between the measured TCA and the estimated value. The model was tested in 40 eyes with TIOLs. KA, TCA, and PCA averaged 1.06 (±0.85) D, 1.05 (±0.83) D, and 0.33 (±0.17) D. The error of the model to estimate TCA averaged zero with an SD of ±0.21 D. Application of this model and of direct Pentacam TCA measurements in TIOL calculation gave similar results, namely a slight reduction of overcorrection in with-the-rule astigmatism, but an eradication of undercorrection in against-the-rule astigmatism. It was possible to estimate TCA accurately from anterior corneal data with a new formula. However, application of both this model on keratometric data and of direct Pentacam measurements in a group of 40 eyes with TIOLs did not completely eradicate the refractive error in TIOL calculation. More studies comparing Pentacam TCA and refractive astigmatism are required.

Distribution of the anterior, posterior, and total corneal astigmatism in healthy eyes.

To evaluate the magnitude and axis orientation of the anterior, posterior, and total corneal astigmatism in normal healthy eyes of an Iranian population. In a prospective cross-sectional study, ophthalmic and anterior segment parameters of 153 healthy eyes of 153 subjects were evaluated by Galilei dual Scheimpflug analyzer. The magnitude and axis orientation [with-the-rule (WTR), against-the-rule (ATR), and oblique] of the anterior, posterior, and total corneal astigmatism measurements (ACA, PCA, and TCA) were compared according to the age, sex, and other ophthalmic parameters. The mean±SD age of the study population was 30±5.9years. The mean magnitude was 1.09±0.76 diopters (D) for ACA, 0.30±0.13 D for PCA, and 1.08±0.77 D for TCA. Males had a significantly higher magnitude of PCA than females (p=0.041). Most eyes had a WTR anterior astigmatism and an ATR posterior astigmatism. The WTR astigmatism had a higher mean magnitude compared to the ATR and oblique astigmatism in all the astigmatism groups, with a significant difference in the ACA and TCA groups (p<0.05). PCA magnitude exceeded 0.50 D in only 7.8% of the subjects. ACA, PCA, and TCA were significantly correlated with each other and also had a significant correlation with the anterior and posterior maximum corneal elevation measurements (p<0.001). The results of this study although are limited due to the small number of participants and confined to our demographics, provided information regarding a population that was not described before and may be helpful in obtaining optimum results in astigmatism correction in refractive surgery or designing new intraocular lenses.

Torsional and flattening effect on corneal astigmatism after cataract surgery: a retrospective analysis

BackgroundTo evaluate the torsional and flattening effect of steep meridian incisions and influence of posterior corneal astigmatism (PCA) on total corneal astigmatism (TCA) after cataract surgery.MethodsOne hundred thirty-two eyes underwent cataract surgery with steep meridian 2.2 mm microcoaxial and 2.85 mm conventional clear corneal incisions. Eyes were divided into with-the-rule (WTR) astigmatism and against-the-rule (ATR) astigmatism groups depending on the steeper meridian and measured with autokeratorefractor and Pentacam® before surgery, at 1 day, 1 week, 1 and 2 months postoperatively. Polar vector analysis was used to evaluate torsional effect of steep meridian incisions.ResultsA decrease in astigmatic polar value (AKP) (+0) was observed in both keratometric and total astigmatism (TA) after 1 and 2 months, although the decrease was only statistically significant in TA (p < 0.05). The AKP(+45) was more significant in the conventional group than the microcoaxial group at 2 months postoperatively (p < 0.05, respectively). There was a significant correlation between corneal thickness of the superior quadrant and PCA in the WTR group (p = 0.028). In eyes with anterior corneal astigmatism smaller than 0.55D of WTR astigmatism and PCA greater than 0.35D of WTR astigmatism showed greater shifting of steep axis and also increment of refractive cylinder powers.ConclusionsIn eyes with superior corneal thickness greater than 714.5 μm and PCA greater than 0.35D of WTR astigmatism, steep meridian incision may cause a significant torsional effect and off-steep meridian change, contributing to an increment of postoperative residual manifest astigmatism after cataract surgery.

Partial transepithelial topography-guided PRK combined with corneal collagen crosslinking in patients with keratoconus

INTRODUCTION. The aim of this study is to identify the visual outcome and possible complications of partial transepithelial topography-guided PRK combined with collagen crosslinking in patients with keratoconus. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Twenty eyes (20 patients) were treated with partial transepithelial topography-guided PRK combined with collagen crosslinking. Patients were evaluated preoperatively for best spectacle corrected visual acuity (BSCVA), clinical signs of keratoconus via slit lamp examination, and Scheimpflug-generated corneal topography. All eyes were treated with Amaris 750s Excimer Laser and KXL system. RESULTS . Mean BCVA was improved from 20/100 to 20/25, postoperatively. Mean flat K was 46.8 ± 0.14 D preoperatively and was reduced to 45.2 ± 0.7 D postoperatively. Mean steep K was reduced from 50.2 ± 0.10 D to 47 ± 0.6 D. Total corneal astigmatism was 4.5 ± 0.14 D and decreased to 2.5 ± 0.10 D postoperatively. Average thinnest pachymetry was reduced from 465 ± 9.9 μm to 416 ± 11.3 μm. Total RMS (corneal aberrations) was 15.5 ± 7.4μm and was significantly reduced to 5.5 ± 2 μm. CONCLUSIONS. Partial transepithelial topography-guided PRK combined with collagen crosslinking can benefit patients fitting the criteria for such a procedure, by stabilising their cornea as well as improving their BSCVA.

Changes in Anterior, Posterior, and Total Corneal Astigmatism after Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty.

Purpose. To evaluate changes in anterior, posterior, and total corneal astigmatism in patients after Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK). Methods. We retrospectively included 29 eyes of 23 patients (age 67.6 ± 9.8 years, 13 female, 10 male) after DMEK surgery. The magnitude and axis orientation of anterior, posterior, and total corneal astigmatism before and after DMEK were determined using a rotating Scheimpflug system (Pentacam HR, Oculus). Results. The magnitude of anterior, posterior, and total corneal astigmatism in the central cornea did not change significantly after surgery. Before surgery, we found a significant correlation between the magnitudes of anterior and posterior corneal astigmatism (Spearman's correlation coefficient (rS) = 0.526, P = 0.003), while after surgery this correlation was no longer significant (rS = 0.038, P = 0.843). There was a significant correlation between the vector difference between preoperative and postoperative posterior astigmatism and the change in corneal pachymetry (rP = 0.47, P = 0.010). Conclusions. Posterior corneal astigmatism (especially the orientation) and therefore the relationship between anterior and total corneal astigmatism may change after DMEK. This should be considered to improve the accuracy of toric IOL power calculations following phakic DMEK or in combined procedures.

Influence of posterior corneal astigmatism on postoperative refractive astigmatism in pseudophakic eyes after cataract surgery.

BackgroundTo examine the influence of posterior corneal astigmatism on postoperative refractive astigmatism in pseudophakic eyes after cataract surgery.MethodsThe study enrolled 64 pseudophakic eyes of 50 patients (71.8 ± 9.9 years old, mean ± standard deviation) who had undergone phacoemulsification with non-toric IOL implantation. Refractive astigmatism was measured using an auto ref-keratometer with a 0.01- diopter (D) scale. Two types of corneal astigmatism were calculated using anterior segment optical coherence tomography; keratometric and total corneal astigmatism. Keratometric astigmatism was obtained based on anterior corneal curvature alone and total corneal astigmatism was calculated using both anterior and posterior corneal curvatures. The difference between refractive and corneal astigmatism was computed as the vector difference using 1) refractive and keratometric astigmatism and 2) refractive and total corneal astigmatism.ResultsThe mean refractive, keratometric, and total corneal astigmatism was 0.92 ± 0.48 D, 0.87 ± 0.44 D, and 0.94 ± 0.46 D, respectively. The difference between refractive and keratometric astigmatism (0.70 ± 0.40 D, mean vector of 0.30 D axis 164°) was significantly larger than the difference between refractive and total corneal astigmatism (0.63 ± 0.38 D, mean vector of 0.12 D axis 137°) (P = .019).ConclusionsThe difference between refractive and total corneal astigmatism, calculated using both anterior and posterior corneal curvatures, was significantly smaller than the difference between refractive and keratometric astigmatism using anterior corneal astigmatism alone, implying that the latter overestimates the true postoperative refractive astigmatism and can cause cylindrical inaccuracy after cataract surgery.

Effects of posterior corneal astigmatism on the accuracy of AcrySof toric intraocular lens astigmatism correction.

To evaluate the effects of posterior corneal surface measurements on the accuracy of total estimated corneal astigmatism. Fifty-seven patients with toric intraocular lens (IOL) implantation and posterior corneal astigmatism exceeding 0.5 diopter were enrolled in this retrospective study. The keratometric astigmatism (KA) and total corneal astigmatism (TA) were measured using a Pentacam rotating Scheimpflug camera to assess the outcomes of AcrySof IOL implantation. Toric IOLs were evaluated in 26 eyes using KA measurements and in 31 eyes using TA measurements. Preoperative corneal astigmatism and postoperative refractive astigmatism were recorded for statistical analysis. The cylindrical power of toric IOLs was estimated in all eyes. In all cases, the difference of toric IOL astigmatism magnitude between KA and TA measurements for the estimation of preoperative corneal astigmatism was statistically significant. Of a total of 57 cases, the 50.88% decreased from Tn to Tn-1, and 10.53% decreased from Tn to Tn-2. In all cases, 5.26% increased from Tn to Tn+1. The mean postoperative astigmatism within the TA group was significantly lower than that in the KA group. The accuracy of total corneal astigmatism calculations and the efficacy of toric IOL correction can be enhanced by measuring both the anterior and posterior corneal surfaces using a Pentacam rotating Scheimpflug camera.

Posterior Corneal Characteristics of Cataract Patients with High Myopia

PurposeTo evaluate the characteristics of the posterior corneal surface in patients with high myopia before cataract surgery.MethodsWe performed a cross-sectional study at the Eye and ENT Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China. Corneal astigmatism and axial length were measured with a rotating Scheimpflug camera (Pentacam) and partial coherence interferometry (IOLMaster) in a high-myopia study group of 167 eyes (axial length ≥ 26 mm) and a control group of 150 eyes (axial length > 20 mm and < 25 mm).ResultsTotal corneal astigmatism and anterior corneal astigmatism values were higher in the high-myopia group than in the control group. There was no significant difference in posterior corneal astigmatism between the high-myopia study group and the control group. In the study group, the mean posterior corneal astigmatism (range 0 – −0.9 diopters) was –0.29 diopters (D) ± 0.17 standard deviations (SD). The steep corneal meridian was aligned vertically (60°–120°) in 87.43% of eyes for the posterior corneal surface, and did not change with increasing age. There was a significant correlation (r = 0.235, p = 0.002) between posterior corneal astigmatism and anterior corneal astigmatism, especially when the anterior corneal surface showed with-the-rule (WTR) astigmatism (r = 0.452, p = 0.000). There was a weak negative correlation between posterior corneal astigmatism and age (r = –0.15, p = 0.053) in the high-myopia group. Compared with total corneal astigmatism values, the anterior corneal measurements alone overestimated WTR astigmatism by a mean of 0.27 ± 0.18 D in 68.75% of eyes, underestimated against-the-rule (ATR) astigmatism by a mean of 0.41 ± 0.28 D in 88.89% of eyes, and underestimated oblique astigmatism by a mean of 0.24 ± 0.13 D in 63.64% of eyes.ConclusionsPosterior corneal astigmatism decreased with age and remained as ATR astigmatism in most cases of high myopia. There was a significant correlation between posterior corneal astigmatism and anterior corneal astigmatism when anterior corneal astigmatism was WTR. If posterior corneal astigmatism is not accounted for when selecting toric intraocular lenses for high-myopia patients, the use of anterior corneal astigmatism measurements alone will lead to overestimation of WTR astigmatism and underestimation of ATR and oblique astigmatism.

Influence of Posterior Corneal Astigmatism on Total Corneal Astigmatism in Eyes With Keratoconus.

To measure posterior corneal astigmatism (PCA) and investigate its influence on total corneal astigmatism (TCA) in eyes with keratoconus. Keratometric astigmatism (KA), PCA, and TCA were investigated by means of a dual Scheimpflug analyzer in patients with keratoconus. Vector analysis was carried out with the Næser polar value method. We enrolled 119 eyes. PCA magnitude averaged 0.77 ± 0.43 diopters (D) and exceeded 0.50, 1.00, and 2.00 D in 73.9%, 21.8%, and 16.8% of eyes, respectively. PCA averaged 0.95 ± 0.48, 0.55 ± 0.28, and 0.70 ± 0.35 D in eyes with with-the-rule (WTR), against-the-rule (ATR), and oblique astigmatism. The steepest posterior meridian was oriented vertically (between 61 and 119 degrees) in 55.5% of eyes, thus generating ATR astigmatism. The difference between the location of the steepest meridian of KA and that of TCA was >10 degrees in 8.4% of eyes. On average, KA overestimated TCA in eyes with WTR astigmatism by 0.16 D and underestimated TCA in eyes with ATR astigmatism by 0.22 D. The PCA power oriented along the steeper anterior corneal meridian averaged -0.83 ± 0.40, -0.40 ± 0.37, and -0.53 ± 0.43 D for WTR, ATR, and obliquely astigmatic eyes, respectively. Linear regression disclosed a statistically significant correlation (P < 0.0001, r = 0.16) between the meridional powers of TCA and PCA. In eyes with keratoconus, PCA displays large, variable values and is correlated to TCA. The influence of PCA on TCA cannot be disregarded when planning astigmatism correction by toric intraocular lenses.

Assessment of refractive astigmatism and simulated therapeutic refractive surgery strategies in coma-like-aberrations-dominant corneal optics

BackgroundThe aim of the study is to raise the awareness of the influence of coma-like higher-order aberrations (HOAs) on power and orientation of refractive astigmatism (RA) and to explore how to account for that influence in the planning of topography-guided refractive surgery in eyes with coma-like-aberrations-dominant corneal optics.MethodsEleven eyes with coma-like-aberrations-dominant corneal optics and with low lenticular astigmatism (LA) were selected for astigmatism analysis and for treatment simulations with topography-guided custom ablation. Vector analysis was used to evaluate the contribution of coma-like corneal HOAs to RA. Two different strategies were used for simulated treatments aiming to regularize irregular corneal optics: With both strategies correction of anterior corneal surface irregularities (corneal HOAs) were intended. Correction of total corneal astigmatism (TCA) and RA was intended as well with strategies 1 and 2, respectively.ResultsAxis of discrepant astigmatism (RA minus TCA minus LA) correlated strongly with axis of coma. Vertical coma influenced RA by canceling the effect of the with-the-rule astigmatism and increasing the effect of the against-the-rule astigmatism. After simulated correction of anterior corneal HOAs along with TCA and RA (strategies 1 and 2), only a small amount of anterior corneal astigmatism (ACA) and no TCA remained after strategy 1, while considerable amount of ACA and TCA remained after strategy 2.ConclusionsComa-like corneal aberrations seem to contribute a considerable astigmatic component to RA in eyes with coma-like-aberrations dominant corneal optics. If topography-guided ablation is programmed to correct the corneal HOAs and RA, the astigmatic component caused by the coma-like corneal HOAs will be treated twice and will result in induced astigmatism. Disregarding RA and treating TCA along with the corneal HOAs is recommended instead.

New regression formula for toric intraocular lens calculations

To evaluate and compare the accuracy of 2 toric intraocular lens (IOL) calculators with or without a new regression formula. Ein-Tal Eye Center, Tel-Aviv, Israel, and the Lions Eye Institute, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia. Retrospective case series. A new regression formula (Abulafia-Koch) was developed to calculate the estimated total corneal astigmatism based on standard keratometry measurements. The error in the predicted residual astigmatism was calculated by the Alcon and Holladay toric IOL calculators with and without adjustments by the Abulafia-Koch formula. These results were compared with those of the Barrett toric calculator. Data from 78 eyes were evaluated to validate the Abulafia-Koch formula. The centroid errors in predicted residual astigmatism were against-the-rule with the Alcon (0.55 diopter [D]) and Holladay (0.54 D) toric calculators and decreased to 0.05 D (P<.001 [x-axis], P=.776 [y-axis]) and 0.04 D (P<.001 [x-axis], P=.726 [y-axis]) with adjustments by the Abulafia-Koch formula. The Alcon and the Holladay toric calculators had a higher proportion of eyes within ±0.50 D of the predicted residual astigmatism with the Abulafia-Koch formula (76.9% and 78.2%, respectively) than without it (both 30.8%). There were no significant differences between the results of the Abulafia-Koch-modified Alcon and the Holladay toric calculators and those of the Barrett toric calculator. Adjustment of commercial toric IOL calculators by the Abulafia-Koch formula significantly improved the prediction of postoperative astigmatic outcome. Dr. Abulafia received a speaker's fee from Haag-Streit AG. Dr. Barrett has licensed the Barrett Toric Calculator to Haag-Streit AG. Dr. Koch is a consultant to Alcon Laboratories, Inc., Abbott Medical Optics, Inc., and Revision Optics, Inc. Dr. Hill is a paid consultant to Haag-Streit AG and Alcon Laboratories, Inc. None of the other authors has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.