Introduction: Our current standard biometric measurement was compared to IOL-Master measurement.
Materials and methods: One hundred sixty-two consecutive cataractous eyes were examined using the IOL-Master as well as the acoustic biometry combined with the Javal-Keratometer. In all eyes, the intraocular lens power to be implanted was chosen by means of the SRK/T formula, based on the measurements conducted with our standard method. The postoperative refraction achieved, obtained at least 6 weeks after surgery from the treating ophthalmologists, was communicated to us. The results were compared and analysed statistically.
Results: Comparison of the eye lengths, as well as of the keratometric measurements showed good correlation between the measurements obtained by both methods, the acoustic biometry yielding significantly (p < 0.001) shorter axial-lengths than the IOL-Master (r = 0.985) and the Javal yielding significantly (p < 0.001) higher mean corneal refraction power than the IOL-Master. The accuracy of the refraction obtained postoperatively compared to the preoperative aim was better with our standard method compared to the IOL-Master.
Conclusions: The presumed systemic differences in measurement results could be verified. The IOL-Master currently has two advantages: it provides a substantial gain in time and the measurements can be delegated. Analysis of the subgroups showed that the "A" constant should be adapted with the IOL-Master to improve predictability of the postoperative refraction.