Axial eye length measurements pre-and post-laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis using the IOL Master: a pilot study

PURPOSE: A preliminary study in order to test the accuracy of the IOL Master in detecting axial eye length changes after laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis and to correlate the findings with the theoretical ablation depth. METHODS: Pre-and postoperative axial eye length measurements were performed in 10 consecutive eyes that underwent laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis with the Alcon Ladar Vision excimer laser to treat myopic refractive errors ranging from −2.50 to −8.00 diopters of spherical equivalent (mean: −5.23 ± 1.30 D). RESULTS: The preoperative axial eye length measurements ranged from 24.53 mm to 27.78 mm (mean: 25.80 ± 1.01 mm) and from 24.57 mm to 27.57 mm (mean: 25.68 ± 0.93 mm) 1 month after the operation. Preoperative and 1-month postoperative data showed a statistically significant difference (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The IOL Master showed a decrease in the axial eye length measurements that was bigger than the theoretical ablation depth and did not correlate well with it. Such data need to be confirmed by a larger cohort of patients.