Axial length and the average ophthalmologist--is biometry worthwhile?

The refractive predictability of 477 lens implants with powers calculated using biometric data and lens power formulas was reviewed and compared with postoperative refractions that would have been expected had standard power lenses been implanted. Eighty-nine percent of the calculated lenses were within 1.25 diopters and 98% were within 2.00 D of the desired refractions. Fifty-two percent and 73% of the standard lenses would have yielded these respective degrees of accuracy. Eyes grouped according to preoperative refractive error and those for which emmetropia or ametropia was predicted were similarly compared with similar results for all groups. The calculated lenses consistently provided better postoperative refractive predictability than could have been achieved with standard lenses.