[Is Holladay 2 formula acurate enough for calculating intraocular lens power in non-standard eyes?]

Purpose: To evaluate the benefit of the Holladay 2 formula versus the 3rd generation formulae in calculating the IOL power in eyes with non-standard axial length or keratometry before cataract surgery.

Patients: Retrospectiv study from January to December 2015. The inclusion critaeria were axial length (AL) <22mm or >26mm, or average keratometry <42 D or >46 D, dividing the patients in 4 groups respectively. The 7 parameters required to calculate the Holladay 2 formula were collected. The final refractive result was turned into spherical equivalent to calculate the optimal power retrospectively. Then, the results obtained using the other formulae were compared with the optimal IOL power.

Results: One hundred and twenty-six eyes operated by two surgeons were included. In the high AL group (n=32), the SRK/T was the most accurate formula; regarding the low AL group (n=36), the Hoffer Q and Holladay 2 formulae performed better; for the steep cornea group (n=27), the Hoffer Q, Haigis, Holladay 1 and 2 formulae were not different; last, the Holladay 1 and 2 were more accurate in the flat cornea group (n=33).

Conclusion: In our study, the Holladay 2 formula does not seem to be better than the others for calculating IOL power in non-standard eyes. Preoperative eye features in such non-standard cases should be taken into account before the surgery to choose the more suitable formula.