Arcuate limbal relaxing incision versus limbal stab incision for the correction of astigmatism during phacoemulsification of cataract

Background: Cataract is one of the major causes of visual impairment worldwide, especially in developing countries. Significant number of cataract patients also have corneal astigmatism which can affect post-operative visual outcome.Purpose: To compare the effectiveness of arcuate limbal relaxing incisions (LRI) versus limbal stab incisions in correcting pre-existing corneal astigmatism during phacoemulsification.Methods: This prospective, interventional, open label study was conducted over one year period. A total of 110 patients aged 40–80 years with cataracts and corneal astigmatism (0.50 to 2 D) were randomly assigned into two groups: Group 1 (n=55) received direct penetrating incisions at the steep corneal axis, while Group 2 (n=55) underwent arcuate LRI. Preoperative and postoperative assessments were conducted at 1, 7, 30, and 90 days postoperatively.Results: Preoperatively, the mean corneal astigmatism was 1.26±0.42 D. By postoperative day 90, residual astigmatism was significantly reduced in both groups: 0.52±0.35 D in the direct stab incision group and 0.59±0.37 D in the arcuate LRI group (p