Sample size and randomization
IOL
The sample size was calculated using power calculations to detect a significant reduction in the time to APL. Based on the previous IOL performed in the department, the mean time needed to reach APL was 7± 3 hours and 36 minutes. Using an alpha error of 0.05 and 90% power, aiming to decrease by 150 min the time to APL in EA group, a minimum of 44 patients were needed in each arm [A random block allocation sequence was generated with a 1:1 ratio (50 in each group) using a computer-generated randomization program by an independent party, who was not involved in enrolling participants or assigning them to interventions. No stratification was used in this study.The enrollment was conducted by the resident investigator in this study. The resident investigator’s role was to ensure that the eligibility criteria were met and to provide information about the study and verify the written consent.