Effect of capsular tension ring implantation during phacoemulsification on postoperative refraction

Purpose To assess refractive outcomes of phacoemulsification (PE) with additional capsular tension ring (CTR) implantation. Material and methods In total, 37 eyes of 37 patient who underwent PE with intraocular lens (IOL) implantation were divided into 2 groups: study group (n = 18) with CTR co-implantation (inclusion criteria was preoperative irido-phacodonesis) and control group (n = 19) without CTR. Optical biometry (IOL-Master 500) was performed for each patient before PE. Barrett Universal II Formula was used for IOL calculation. IOL power calculation error was assessed by comparing target refraction and final refraction measured by Topcon-8800 autorefractometer 1 month after surgery. Results Despite almost identical preoperative values in both groups refractive result was different. Patients with CTR co-implantation had more hyperopic IOL power calculation error of 0.41 ± 0.52 D versus 0.04 ± 0.59 D in the control group (p = 0.043). Postoperative spherical equivalent in study group was more hyperopic (−0.40 ± 1.47 D) than in control group (−0.77 ± 1.24), nevertheless, this difference was insignificant ( p = 0.166). Conclusion CTR co-implantation in patients with weak zonules and preoperative irido-phacodonesis leads to more hyperopic IOL power calculation error compared with control group.