Outcomes of preloaded toric intraocular lens implantation in eyes undergoing phacoemulsification

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical outcomes of preloaded toric intraocular lens (IOLs) implantation in eyes undergoing phacoemulsification. METHODS: This prospective study included 51 eyes of 51 patients with visually significant cataracts and corneal astigmatism ranging between 0.75 and 5.50 D. All patients underwent phacoemulsification with SupraPhob toric intraocular lens implantation under topical anesthesia. The main outcome measures were uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), residual refractive cylinder, spherical equivalent, and IOL stability at 3 months follow-up. RESULTS: At 3 months, 49% (25/51) of patients had UDVA equal to or better than 20/25 with 100% of eyes achieving better than 20/40. Mean logMAR UDVA improved from 1.02 ± 0.39, preoperatively to 0.11 ± 0.10 at 3 months follow-up (P < 0.001, Wilcoxon signed-rank test). The mean refractive cylinder improved from − 1.56 ± 1.25 D preoperatively to − 0.12 ± 0.31 D at 3 months follow-up (P < 0.001) while the mean spherical equivalent value changed from − 1.93 ± 3.71D preoperatively to − 0.16 ± 0.27D (P = 0.0013). The mean root mean square value for higher order aberrations was 0.30 ± 0.18 μm while the average contrast sensitivity value (Pelli-Robson chart) was 1.56 ± 0.10 log unit, at the final follow-up. The mean IOL rotation at 3 weeks was 1.7 ± 1.61 degrees, which did not change significantly at 3 months (P = 0.988) follow-up. There were no intraoperative or postoperative complications. CONCLUSION: SupraPhob toric IOL implantation is an effective method for addressing preexisting corneal astigmatism in eyes undergoing phacoemulsification with good rotational stability.