Comparison of Intraocular Lens Power Estimation by Optical Biometry and Ultrasound Biometry in Cataract Surgery

Abstract

Introduction: The evolution of modern technologies for cataract surgery has made it crucial for aiming emmetropia with highly defined vision. The key factor responsible for postoperative emmetropia is an accurate biometry, along with various other factors. Ultrasonic biometry is the gold standard method of Intraocular Lens (IOL) power calculation but the corneal indentation with the probe underestimate the axial length and result in a myopic shift which is overcome by the newer optical biometry devices, including swept source optical coherence biometry which uses infrared light to measure the ocular distances. Aim: To determine the precision and accuracy of IOL power calculation by ultrasound A-scan and optical IOL master and their refractive outcomes. Materials and Methods: This prospective, and observational study was conducted between September 2019 to February 2021 in 155 patients with cataract undergoing phacoemulsification in Kalinga Institute of Medical Sciences, KIIT University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India. All subjects underwent comprehensive ocular examination and biometry with two formulae {Sanders-RetzlaffKraff (SRK) and Holladay-I}. Biometry included corneal curvature (keratometry), axial length, anterior chamber depth, IOL power calculation, predicted refractive error. There were two broad groups. One group underwent biometry by ultrasound A-scan and the other group underwent optical biometry by IOL Master 700. The IOL power was calculated with the two formulae in both the groups. Comparisons between variables measured using the IOL master and A-scan were done using paired t-test. The p-values <0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: In a 18 month period, 155 eyes were consecutively enrolled in the study. The mean age of all enrolled patients was 62.1±8.65 years (range 34-80 years) with male:female ratio of approximately 1.25:1. The mean axial length measured by IOL master was higher (23.15 ± 0.85) than that by A-scan (22.96±0.81 diopters) with a mean difference of 0.197±0.35 mm (p-value <0.001, paired t-test). The mean predicted IOL power was 20.81±1.84 diopters by IOL master and 21.13±1.62 by A-scan by SRK-II formula (p-value <0.001). While mean predicted IOL power with Holladay-I by IOL Master 700 was 20.61±1.92 and 21.44±1.98 diopters by A-scan with a mean difference (-0.82±0.76 diopters) with a significant p-value <0.001. Bland-Altman analysis plots showed almost perfect agreement between both methods regarding predicted IOL power. Conclusion: The swept source Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) based IOL master 700 proved to be a faster non contact device to use with a shorter learning curve, higher accuracy in average axial length eye and less refractive surprises.