Lteif Y, Gatinel D
AP-HP, Hôpital Bichat Claude Bernard, Paris, France.
J Fr Ophtalmol. 2008 Mar;31(3):326-34. doi: 10.1016/s0181-5512(08)74814-9.
The number of keratorefractive procedures designed to correct refractive errors has dramatically increased over the last few years. The techniques for cataract extraction and intraocular lens implantation have evolved into a refractive surgical procedure as well as an operation to improve best corrected visual acuity and/or spectacle independence. The calculation of intraocular lens power for a desired refractive target can be challenging in post-refractive surgically treated eyes, given the frequent case reports of "refractive surprises" after cataract surgery. After corneal refractive surgery, the direct use of the measured topographic or keratometric values, with no correction, results in less accurate calculation of intraocular lens (IOL) power required for cataract surgery than calculation in virgin eyes. After laser refractive surgery for myopia, this could result in an overestimation of the corneal power and subsequent underestimation of the IOL power, therefore leading to a hyperopic outcome after phacoemulsification. Conversely, after laser refractive surgery for hyperopia, inaccuracy in the keratometric power estimation could result in a myopic outcome after phacoemulsification. Despite current progress in this subject, awareness of the shortcomings of classical methods and suggested strategies to improve accuracy can be valuable to clinicians. This article provides an overview of the possible sources of error in intraocular lens power calculation in post-keratorefractive patients, and reviews the methods to minimize intraocular lens power errors.
