Accuracy and feasibility of axial length measurements by a new optical low-coherence reflectometry-based device in eyes with posterior subcapsular cataract

Abstract

To evaluate the feasibility and accuracy of measuring axial length (AL) by a new optical low-coherence reflectometry (OLCR)-based device in eyes with central posterior subcapsular cataract (PSC). Department of Ophthalmology, Assaf-Harofeh Medical Center, Zerifin, Israel. Retrospective case series. Consecutive cases of patients who had uneventful cataract surgery and whose preoperative AL measurements were not feasible with the partial coherence interferometry (PCI) device because of a central PSC were assessed. Preoperative AL was measured by the OLCR device and immersion ultrasound (US). Preoperative results were compared with the postoperative AL measurements obtained by the PCI. Twenty-seven patients (27 eyes) were enrolled in the study. The median difference between the OLCR and the PCI AL measurements (0.07mm) was lower than the median difference between the US and the PCI AL measurements (0.13mm)(P=.016). The ranges of the limits of agreement were 0.15mm between OLCR and PCI, and 0.88mm between US and PCI. The proportion of eyes with an AL difference of less than 0.1mm was significantly higher between the OLCR and the PCI devices (24 eyes [88.9%]) than between the US and the PCI devices (9 eyes [33.3%]) (P=.001). The OLCR-based device successfully measured the preoperative AL in all eyes with central PSC for which preoperative PCI scans were not feasible. These measurements had a high level of agreement with the postoperative AL measurements obtained by the PCI device.