Refractive and keratometric outcomes of supervised novice surgeon–performed limbal relaxing incisions: 1-year results

To report refractive and keratometric astigmatism outcomes of resident-performed limbal relaxing incisions (LRIs) during cataract surgery.Tertiary care academic teaching hospital.Retrospective case series.The length, location, and number of LRIs were determined preoperatively using an online calculator. Variables studied were preoperative keratometry and postoperative uncorrected and corrected distance visual acuity, refraction, and keratometry at 1-month, 3-month, and 12-month visits (POM1, POM3, and POM12, respectively). Subgroup analysis was performed on amount and type of astigmatism. The astigmatism double-angle plot tool and analysis of with-the-wound (WtW) and against-the-wound (AtW) changes were used to assess the effect of astigmatism correction at POM1, POM3, and POM12 visits.In 118 eyes, a higher percentage of eyes demonstrated refractive astigmatism 0.25 diopter (D) or less, 0.50 D or less, 0.75D or less, and 1.0 D or less at POM1 and POM12 (all P < .05) compared with preoperative keratometric astigmatism. Subgroup analysis showed improvement in all groups and types of astigmatism (P < .01). Patients achieved a statistically significant reduction of keratometric astigmatism at POM1, POM3, and POM12 (all P ≤ .0001) relative to baseline, and changes differed significantly based on the preoperative amount of astigmatism (all P ≤ .0001, with greater reductions associated with higher baseline astigmatism) but not by location of the steep meridian. There were significant WtW-AtW changes at POM1, POM3, and POM12. Regression of effect after 1 month was approximately 0.11 D.Resident-performed LRIs achieved effective and sustained reduction of both refractive and keratometric astigmatism regardless of meridian or magnitude of astigmatism for at least 1 year postoperatively.