Axial length measurement in eyes implanted with phakic posterior chamber intraocular lenses

ABSTRACT: Purpose: To determine where eye length measurements obtained with an optical biometer before and after Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL) implantation would show any change. METHODS: We have analyzed a prospective study a sample of 32 eyes of 19 consecutive patients implanted with an ICL (Staar Surgical, CA). Spherical equivalent refraction ranged from –5.50 to –21 diopters (D) (mean –13.73±4.48 D). Axial length was measured using the IOL Master® (Carl Zeiss, Jena, Germany) non-contact optical biometer before and after ICL implantation. RESULTS: Mean axial length value was 27.28±2.05 mm (ranging from 24.43 to 33.36 mm) and 27.31±1.98 mm (ranging from 24.56 to 32.76 mm), before and after the surgery, respectively. Mean axial length difference between both values was –0.03±0.12 (ranging from –0.17 to 0.10 mm). The paired t-test revealed no statistically significant differences in axial length between before and after ICL implantation (P=0.1653). Both measurements correlated in a highly positive manner (R = 0.99, P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: This study shows that axial length measurement before ICL implantation is comparable to measurements carried out after surgery. Optical biometry achieves valid and reliable axial length measurements in eyes implanted with ICL.