Introduction: Small incision cataract surgery with foldable intraocular lens implantation is the most common surgery performed in
France, leading to rapid improvement in visual acuity and early postoperative (Postop) refractive stability. Aim: To evaluate refractive
and visual stability one-week post-surgery in order to establish the best time frame for lens prescription. Methods: This is a
retrospective study that included patients who underwent uncomplicated small incision cataract surgery under topical anesthesia
and single piece, monofocal intraocular lenses (IOL) implantation. Surgeries were performed in the Ophthalmology Department of
the Jacques Coeur Hospital, Bourges, France, between November 2016 and June 2017. Refraction and best-corrected visual acuity
were recorded at preoperative (Preop) and Postop (1-week and 3-8 weeks) examination. Statistical analysis was performed using the
paired Student’s t-test. Results: A total number of 80 eyes of 73 patients aged between 50 and 96 were included in the study, out of
whom 30 (41.1%) were male and 43 (58.9%) were female. Forty-two (57.5%) of patients had no comorbidities. Our study finds no
statistically significant difference when comparing spherical refraction, cylindrical refraction, and visual acuity between the 1-week
Postop check-up and the 3-8 weeks Postop check-up. Conclusion: Spherical refraction, cylindrical refraction, and visual acuity are
stable at 1-week post-cataract surgery. Therefore, lenses can be prescribed a week after cataract surgery.
Keywords: Refractive stability, cataract surgery, spherical refraction, cylindrical refraction, visual acuity