[First steps with the Zeiss IOLMaster: A comparison between acoustic contact biometry and non-contact optical biometry].
BACKGROUND
After having received an IOL-Master (Zeiss, Jena), we compared our actual standard method with this new device.


METHODS
From March to June 2002, we examined 175 consecutive cataractous eyes with the IOL-Master as well as with the acoustic biometry (Tomey AL-1000) combined to the Javal-Keratometer (Haag-Streit, Bern). The results were compared and analysed statistically. In all eyes, the intraocular lens to be implanted was chosen by means of the SRK/T formula, based on the measurements conducted with our standard method. The achieved postoperative refraction of 153 eyes obtained, at least six weeks after surgery, by the treating ophthalmologists, was communicated to us.


RESULTS
Comparison of eye lengths as well as of the keratometric measurements showed good correspondence between the obtained measurements by both methods, acoustic biometry yielding significantly (p < 0.001) shorter axial lengths than the IOL-Master, and the Javal yielding significantly (p < 0.001) higher mean corneal refraction power than the IOL-Master. For both measurements, regression lines showed good coherence of the results over the refraction sample of our patients. Surprisingly, the accuracy of the refraction obtained postoperatively compared to the preoperative aim was better with our standard method compared to the IOL-Master.


CONCLUSIONS
The predicted systemic differences in measurement results could be verified. No improvement in accuracy of our postoperative refraction prediction was achieved so far. The current advantage of the IOL-Master in our clinic is the substantial gain in time, as well as the fact that performance of the measurements may be delegated.
Gantenbein
Claude
C
Universitäts-Augenklinik Homburg/Saar. aucgan@med.rz.uni-sb.de
Lang
Hans Martin
HM
Ruprecht
Klaus W
KW
Georg
Thomas
T
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001699:Biometry / Q000295:instrumentation*; D019781:Corneal Topography / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007368:Interferometry / Q000295:instrumentation*; D007910:Lenses, Intraocular; D008297:Male; D008432:Mathematical Computing; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D012029:Refraction, Ocular; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013996:Time and Motion Studies; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000295:instrumentation*