The Influence of Surgeon’s Hand Dominance on Surgically Induced Astigmatism (SIA) in Phacoemulsification

Doi: 10.36351/pjo.v41i1.1909

Abstract

Purpose:  To compare the influence of surgeon hand dominance on surgically induced astigmatism in Phacoemulsification.

Study Design:  Quasi experimental study.

Place and Duration:  Acuity Eye Center, Lahore, from 2023 to 2024.

Methods:  Surgically induced astigmatism (SIA) of 200 patients who underwent phacoemulsification by a single experienced surgeon with temporal clear corneal incision was analyzed. The surgeon performed phacoemulsification holding the phaco hand-piece in the right dominant hand when operating the right eye and the left non-dominant hand when operating the left eye. The patients keratometric (K) values were taken with Nidek auto-refracto keratometer (ARK-510A) 1 day before surgery (Baseline) and 6 weeks post-operatively. The pre-operative and 6 weeks post-operative K values were entered into the spreadsheet. SIA was calculated, analysed and plotted by ASCRS (American Society of Cataract and Refractive surgery) SIA Calculator (V100 Tool). Comparison of SIA between dominant and non-dominant hand phacoemulsification was calculated through SPSS (Version 26).

Results:  All the participants were between 30 to 80 years of age. Double angle plot for SIA using ASCRS V100 tool revealed significant insights into the astigmatic changes post-surgery in both the right and left eyes.The centroid values, indicative of the mean astigmatic change, were 0.49±0.26D and 0.55±0.31D, respectively. The comparison between both left and right phacoemulsification showed that the difference was non-significant between dominant and non-dominant hand (P=0.251).

Conclusion:  Despite the challenges of adapting surgical technique to accommodate hand dominance, our findings indicate a non-significant difference in postoperative SIA outcomes.