A Bayesian network meta-analysis on comparisons of intraocular lens power calculation methods for paediatric cataract eyes.

The study aimed to compare and rank the accuracy of formulas for calculating intraocular lens (IOL) power in paediatric eyes in a systematic way. A literature search was conducted in Pubmed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and EMBASE by December 2021. Combined with traditional and network meta-analysis, we analysed the percentages of paediatric eyes with prediction error (PE) within ±0.50 dioptres (D) and ±1.00 D as the outcome measurements among different formulas. Subgroup analyses stratified by age were also undertaken. Thirteen studies with 1781 eyes comparing 8 calculation formulas were included. For the traditional meta-analysis results, Sanders-Retzlaff-Kraff theoretical (SRK/T) (risk ratios (RR), 1.15; 95% confidence intervals (CI), 1.03-1.30) performed significantly better than the SRKII formula for the percentage of eyes with PE within ±0.50 D. In addition, SRK/T (RR, 1.10; 95% CI, 1.02-1.18) and Holladay 1(RR, 1.15; 95% CI, 1.01-1.30) both performed significantly better than the SRKII formula for the percentage of eyes with PE within ±1.00 D. Considering the ranking based on the surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) by Bayesian method, the top four formulas were Barrett Universal II (UII), Haigis, Holladay 1, and SRK/T on the percentage of PE within ±0.50 D, whereas the top four formulas were Barrett UII, Holladay 1, SRK/T, and Hoffer Q formulas on the percentage of PE within ±1.00D. Concerning both outcome measurements of rank probabilities, the top three Barrett UII, SRK/T, and Holladay 1 formulas were considered to provide more accuracy for IOL power calculation in paediatric cataract eyes, and Barrett UII tends to perform better in older children.