Okechukwu Clinton Ifeanyi, Benjamin Obuchi Fortune, Iyamu Eghosasere
Abstract
Aim: To compare the effect of phacoemulsification and small incision cataract surgery on axial length and anterior chamber depth.
Method: An observational cohort study was conducted on 90 participants (48 females and 42 males) who were scheduled to undergo cataract surgeries at Adetula Opticals Eye Clinic, Oshodi-Isolo, Lagos State, Nigeria. The participants were divided equally into two groups to receive phacoemulsification and small-incision cataract surgeries, respectively. Their eyes’ axial lengths and anterior chamber depths were measured before and after the respective surgical procedures. Unpaired T-test and Paired T-test were employed to analyse the data, using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS version 22.0).
Results: The paired T-test showed significant changes (p < 0.05) with a decrease in axial length and an increase in anterior chamber depth measurements before and after Phacoemulsification and small-incision cataract surgery. However, the Unpaired T-test showed no significant differences when comparing changes in axial length and anterior chamber depth between the two surgical procedures (p > 0.05).
Conclusion: Both procedures resulted in increased anterior chamber depths, along with a reduction in axial lengths; nevertheless, the variations between the surgical techniques were not significant.
Keywords: Phacoemulsification, Small Incision Cataract Surgery, Axial length, and Anterior chamber depth.