Limbal relaxing incisions in congenital astigmatism: 6 month follow-up

Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness of limbal relaxing incisions (LRIs) for correcting naturally occurring astigmatism. Setting: Ankara Hospital, Ankara, Turkey. Methods: This prospective analysis of the results of the first LRIs in 22 eyes of 13 patients with congenital astigmatism was done using a modified Gills nomogram and was based on preoperative refractive astigmatism determined by manifest and cycloplegic refractions. There were no adjustments based on sex or age. Results: An absolute decrease of 0.91 diopter (D) (44%) in mean astigmatism was achieved after 6 months in 22 eyes. The mean uncorrected visual acuity (logMAR) increased from 0.42 to 0.26 from preoperatively to 6 months postoperatively. No patient lost best corrected visual acuity. Most regression occurred in eyes with more than 3.50 D of astigmatism and between the first and third postoperative months. Conclusion: Limbal relaxing incisions are a practical, simple, and forgiving approach for the correction of lower degrees of astigmatism.