Evaluation of striate keratopathy after manual small-incision cataract surgery and its final outcomes in a tertiary hospital

PURPOSE: To study the demographic profile, contributing and precipitating factors, the severity of striate keratopathy and its relation with endothelial cell count, and evaluate the final treatment outcome of striate keratopathy. METHODS: This observational analytical cohort study was conducted on 75 patients developing striate keratopathy after MSICS in the immediate postoperative period. Demographic profile, preoperative risk factors, and intraoperative complications were evaluated retrospectively. Postoperatively, slit-lamp grading of striate keratopathy was done, and specular microscopy of both eyes was taken. Treatment of striate keratopathy was initiated, and patients were followed up for 6 to 10 weeks for improvement. RESULTS: Striate keratopathy was most commonly associated with surgeries performed by resident surgeons (92%), longer duration of surgery, associated predisposing factors, and intraoperative or postoperative complications. On postoperative day 1, the majority of patients had moderate and severe striate keratopathy (66% and 32%, respectively). It was associated with significant endothelial cell loss (ECL) at the final follow-up (P = 0.0016). Striate keratopathy resolved in 97.3% of patients, irrespective of the treatment with hypertonic saline. At 6 to 10 weeks, 92% of patients achieved a BCVA of ≥6/9. CONCLUSION: A careful preoperative evaluation, adequate training of resident surgeons, meticulous surgical technique, and prompt management of postoperative complications can lead to a decrease in the incidence of striate keratopathy in the majority of cases. The use of hypertonic saline eye drops does not change the final outcome, and most cases resolve spontaneously during follow-up.