Optometry Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Optometry, including details on myopia, optometric practice, therapy.

Intraocular lens power calculation using ray tracing following excimer laser surgery.

Rabsilber TM, Reuland AJ, Holzer MP, Auffarth GU

Heidelberg IOL and Refractive Surgery Research Group, Department of Ophthalmology, Ruprecht-Karls-University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany. tanja.rabsilber@med.uni-heidelberg.de

PURPOSE: To evaluate intraocular lens (IOL) power calculation using ray tracing in patients presenting with cataract after excimer laser surgery. METHODS: Ten eyes of seven consecutive patients who presented for cataract surgery following excimer laser treatment without any pre-refractive biometry data were enrolled in this prospective clinical study. Preoperatively, IOL power calculation was performed using a ray tracing software called OKULIX. Keratometry data (C-Scan) were imported and axial length (IOLMaster) was entered manually. Accuracy of IOL power calculation was investigated by subtracting attempted and achieved spherical equivalent. RESULTS: Mean spherical equivalent was -3.51+/-2.77 D (range -10.38 to -0.5 D) preoperatively and -1.01+/-1.08 D (range -2.5 to +0.75 D) postoperatively. Mean error was 0.31+/-0.84 D, mean absolute error was 0.74+/-0.46 D, and IOL calculation errors ranged from -1.39 to +1.47 D. A total of 40% of eyes were within +/-0.5 D, 70% within +/-1.0 D, and 100% within +/-1.5 D. Three eyes with corneal radii over 10 mm showed calculation errors exceeding +/-1.0 D. Mean best-corrected visual acuity increased from 20/60 to 20/30 postoperatively. Conclusions: IOL power calculation after excimer laser surgery can be difficult, especially when pre-refractive keratometry values are not available. In these cases, ray tracing combined with corneal topography measurements provides reliable and satisfactory postoperative results. However, it is advisable to be careful when calculating IOL power for eyes with corneal radii exceeding 10 mm because of slightly higher prediction errors.

Published 7 June 2007 in Eye, 21(6): 697-701.
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