Clinical results of the open ring PMMA guider assisted capsulorrhexis in cataract surgery

Background To compare the results of continuous curvilinear capsulorrhexis(CCC) after application of an open ring-shaped guider compared with a free-hand procedure in eyes with cataracts. Methods This study comprised patients undergoing cataract surgery in Seoul St.Mary’s Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea. Eyes were grouped depending on the capsulotomy method; CCC was performed by free-hand procedure on 94 eyes (free-hand group), and it was performed under the guidance after introduction of an open ring-shaped guider on consecutive 89 eyes (guided group). Horizontal and vertical diameter, area and circularity of capsulotomy were measured postoperatively at one day, two months and six months. Differences in parameters and the percentage of ideal capsulorrhexis were analyzed between the two groups. Results On the first postoperative day, the vertical diameter in the guided group (5.24 ± 0.16 mm) was significantly longer than that of the free-hand group (5.01 ± 0.65 mm, P = 0.019). The area of capsulotomy was larger in the guided group (21.55 ± 0.87 mm2) than that of the free-hand group (20.34 ± 2.96 mm2, P