Intraocular lens power calculation: angle κ and ocular biomechanics

Purpose: To study the effect of ocular biomechanics on the prediction error of intraocular lens (IOL) power calculation.

Setting: Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Porto, Porto, Portugal.

Design: Prospective longitudinal study.

Methods: This study included 67 subjects. Before cataract surgery subjects underwent biometry with IOLMaster 700 and biomechanical analysis with Corvis Scheimpflug technology. The targeted spherical equivalent was calculated with SRK-T and Barrett Universal II. Associations between prediction error (PE), absolute prediction error (AE), and biometric and biomechanical parameters were performed with stepwise multivariate linear correlation analysis.

Results: Using the SRKT formula, there was association between PE and Corvis Biomechanical Index (CBI, B = -0.531, P = .011) and between AE and the horizontal offset between the center of the pupil and the visual axis (angle κ, B = -0.274, P = .007). Considering the Barret Universal II formula, PE was independently associated with anterior chamber depth ( B = -0.279, P = .021) and CBI ( B = -0.520, P = .013) and AE was associated with angle κ ( B = -0.370, P = .007).

Conclusions: A large angle κ may reduce the predictability of IOL power calculation. Ocular biomechanics likely influence the refractive outcomes after IOL implantation. This study showed that eyes with softer corneal biomechanics had more myopic PE. This may relate to anteriorization of the effective lens position. Dynamic measurements may be the way to progress into future formulas.