Biometric changes in phakic eyes over time

3 June 2021 | Su Young | EYE - Cataract, EYE - Refractive | Biometry, anatomy, cataract surgery, management, surgical planning

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This was a single-centre retrospective cohort study of patients who attended a ‘two-stop’ preassessment clinic for consideration of cataract surgery between November 2002 and March 2015. Four biometric measurements were recorded: axial length, horizontal (K1) readings, vertical (K2) readings and dioptric power of lens (AR40). Patients were allocated to three groups according to the time interval between initial and latest biometric assessment: Group 1: up to 12 months; Group 2: 12-24 months; Group 3: over 24 months. A total of 109 eyes from 62 patients were included. Mean patient age at first biometry was 78 (range: 49-95; SD: 10). Thirty-eight patients (61.3%) were female. No statistically significant changes were observed in Group 1 (n=9). In Group 2, a statistically significant change was observed in K1 readings (median change: −0.12mm, range: −0.65mm to 0.64mm; p=.002). In Group 3, statistically significant changes were observed in K1 readings (median change: 0.06mm, range: −0.59mm to 1.29mm, p=.03), K2 readings: (median change: 0.33mm, range: −0.50mm to 1.09mm, p<.001) and no change in AR40 readings (median change: 0.00, range −2.00 to 3.00, p=.02). The authors found that statistically significant biometric changes were observed over time and recommend considering repeat biometric assessment in patients who have had an interval of longer than 24 months between initial biometric assessment and surgery for optimal refractive outcomes.