Multivariate Regression Analysis to Predict Postoperative Refractive Astigmatism in Cataract Surgery

PURPOSE: To assess the correlation between postoperative refractive astigmatism and preoperative parameters in cataract surgery. METHODS: Left eyes of 100 consecutive patients scheduled for cataract surgery with a 2.4 mm clear corneal incision were examined prospectively. Refractive astigmatism was measured using an autokerato/refractometer. Corneal astigmatism of the total cornea was calculated using a Scheimpflug camera. The vertical/horizontal component (J0) and oblique component (J45) of refractive and total corneal astigmatism were determined using power vector analysis. Refractive astigmatism at 8 weeks postoperatively was estimated using multivariate linear regression analysis. Independent variables analyzed included age, sex, refractive astigmatism, total corneal astigmatism, sphere, intraocular pressure, corneal thickness, anterior chamber depth, lens thickness, axial length, and pupil diameter. RESULTS: Multivariate regression analysis identified total corneal J0 and age as significant contributors to postoperative refractive J0 (P < 0.001 and P=0.029, respectively). The standard partial regression coefficients in the multiple regression analysis were 0.59 and −0.16 for total corneal J0 and age, respectively. Significant contributors to postoperative refractive J45 were total corneal J45 and lens thickness (P < 0.001 and P=0.015, respectively). The standard partial regression coefficients were 0.79 and −0.15 for total corneal J45 and lens thickness, respectively. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that preoperative total corneal astigmatism is the most significant predictor of postoperative refractive astigmatism when performing astigmatism correction in cataract surgery.