Materials and Methods: In this retrospective study, 771 eyes of 514 patients (298 males, 58%; 216 females, 42%) were operated and data of 746 eyes (383 right eyes, 51.3%; 363 left eyes, 48.7%) were analyzed. Nasal and temporal limbal incisions were performed in the left and right eyes, respectively. Pre-operative keratometry (flat and steep keratometry), axial length (AL), and intraocular lens power measurements as well as post-operative (1 month after the operation) keratometry and auto refractometry measurements were performed both for the right and left eyes of the patients.

Results: The percentage changes in the keratometric measurements were higher in the nasal incision . Emmetropia was more achieved in the temporal incision in patients with an AL of <22 mm, whereas emmetropia was more achieved in the nasal incision side in those with normal (22-24 mm) and longer (>24 mm) AL. Better cylindrical diopter values were observed in the nasal incision in patients with an AL of <22 mm.

Conclusion: Both nasal and temporal limbal incisions are safe and effective in phacoemulsifi cation. Nevertheless, vision acuity and astigmatism might be associated with AL, which necessitates individual pre-operative patient assessment. Keywords : Phacoemulsifi cation, Cataract, Limbal incision, Nasal, Temporal, Surgery-induced astigmatism