Prospective Evaluation of Limbal Relaxing Incision (LRI) in Conjunction With Phacoemulsification Surgery for Astigmatic Correction in Chinese Eyes
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ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01122992 |
Recruitment Status
: Unknown
Verified May 2010 by Singapore National Eye Centre.
Recruitment status was: Recruiting
First Posted
: May 13, 2010
Last Update Posted
: May 13, 2010
|
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Condition or disease | Intervention/treatment | Phase |
---|---|---|
Corneal Astigmatism | Procedure: Limbal relaxing incision | Not Applicable |
An important aim in cataract surgery has always been a good postoperative visual outcome. Efforts have been made to achieve this, with the introduction of intraocular lens in the 1980s and small incision cataract surgery in the 1990s. In the recent years, 'refractive' cataract surgery has taken the form of corneal astigmatic correction. Patients with pre-existing astigmatism of more than 1.5D may benefit from surgical correction during cataract surgery, in the hope of improving uncorrected visual acuity as well as lesser image distortion from corneal aberrations.
The limbal relaxing incisional technique involves placement of incisions corresponding to the steep meridian, thereby resulting in corneal flattening and reduction of astigmatic power. It is increasingly popular due to its advantages. LRI is simple to perform, very safe procedure in experienced hands, effective for astigmatic reduction of up to 4D, has rapid visual rehabilitation and is associated with very few visual complications due to the peripheral location of the incisions. Possible complications include globe weakening, corneal perforation, worsening of astigmatism, incorrect incisional placement and corneal hypoesthesia.
LRI technique and the practical nomograms has been described and made feasible by both James P Gills and Louis D Nichamin. Based on preoperatively measured astigmatic power and axis, these two nomograms recommend a systematic approach to the amount of surgical correction required.
The reason for the Nichamin nomogram being more frequently applied, can be attributed to a few inherent features. It accounts for the age of the patient as a surgical variability and recommends the use of paired arcuate limbal incisions measured in degrees of arc. Paired incisions enable symmetric corneal flattening at the steep meridian, whilst arcuate incisions are more physiological, thereby resulting in accurate astigmatic correction that is independent of corneal diameter. Nichamin has also implemented a modified Nichamin age and pachymetry-adjusted nomogram (otherwise known as 'NAPA' nomogram). It accounts for the patient's peripheral corneal thickness and adjusts the incisional depth accordingly to achieve 90% of corneal thickness.
Many studies have shown that LRI is an effective option for astigmatic correction in Caucasian eyes. Whether these results can be further extrapolated to apply to Chinese eyes are still largely uncertain. To date, there has not been a formal study conducted to evaluate this hypothesis. Moreover, there has been some anecdotal evidence suggesting less favorable postoperative outcome of LRI in Chinese eyes. The main objective of our study is thus to assess the utility and effectiveness of LRI in Chinese eyes.
Study Type : | Interventional (Clinical Trial) |
Estimated Enrollment : | 30 participants |
Allocation: | Non-Randomized |
Intervention Model: | Single Group Assignment |
Masking: | None (Open Label) |
Primary Purpose: | Treatment |
Official Title: | Prospective Evaluation of Limbal Relaxing Incision (LRI) in Conjunction With Phacoemulsification Surgery for Astigmatic Correction in Chinese Eyes |
Study Start Date : | November 2006 |
Estimated Primary Completion Date : | December 2010 |
Estimated Study Completion Date : | December 2010 |

- Amount of surgically induced astigmatism at three months postop [ Time Frame: at three months postop ]
- Depth of LRI achieved at one month postop [ Time Frame: at one month postop ]
- Unaided visual acuity at three months postop [ Time Frame: at three months postop ]

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Ages Eligible for Study: | 21 Years to 60 Years (Adult) |
Sexes Eligible for Study: | All |
Accepts Healthy Volunteers: | Yes |
Inclusion Criteria:
- Study subjects should be at least 21 years old, and not older than 60 years old
- Only Chinese patients will be eligible for this study
- Presence of a pre-existing regular astigmatism ranging between -1.00 to -3.00D
- Informed consent obtained for both phacoemulsification surgery and LRI procedure
- Study subject is agreeable to comply with the postoperative follow-up regime stated
- Absence of any exclusion criteria
Exclusion Criteria:
- Presence of irregular astigmatism
- Pre-existing pterygium
- Previous corneal / anterior segment surgery
- Pre-existing corneal scar
- Pre-existing corneal pathology eg keratoconus, Fuch's endothelial dystrophy, PUK, etc
- Pre-existing glaucoma

To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contact information provided by the sponsor.
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier (NCT number): NCT01122992
Contact: Wei Han Chua, FRCS Ophthalmology | +65 63228893 | chua_wei_han@snec.com.sg |
Singapore | |
Singapore National Eye Centre | Recruiting |
Singapore, Singapore, 168751 | |
Principal Investigator: Zainah Alsagoff, FRCS Ophthalmology | |
Sub-Investigator: Jocelyn chua, MRCS / MMED Ophthalmology |
Principal Investigator: | Wei Han Chua, FRCS Ophthalmology | Singapore National Eye Centre |
Publications of Results:
Responsible Party: | Dr Chua Wei Han, Singapore National Eye Centre |
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: | NCT01122992 History of Changes |
Other Study ID Numbers: |
R489/38/2006 |
First Posted: | May 13, 2010 Key Record Dates |
Last Update Posted: | May 13, 2010 |
Last Verified: | May 2010 |
Keywords provided by Singapore National Eye Centre:
Limbal relaxing incision Astigmatic correction Phacoemulsification surgery Chinese eyes |
Additional relevant MeSH terms:
Surgical Wound Astigmatism Wounds and Injuries Refractive Errors Eye Diseases |