Clinical outcomes with toric intraocular lenses planned using an optical low coherence reflectometry ocular biometer with a new toric calculator

PURPOSE: To prospectively evaluate postoperative clinical outcomes with implantation of toric intraocular lenses (IOLs) using preoperative keratometry from an optical low coherence reflectometry (OLCR) ocular biometer (Lenstar(®) LS900) and the built-in Barrett toric calculator. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective observational study recruited one or both eyes of subjects who underwent uncomplicated cataract surgery with toric IOL implantation using OLCR biometery data and the Barrett toric IOL calculator for toric IOL planning. Data were collected at the preoperative, operative, 1-day and 2-month postoperative visits. The primary outcome measure was the manifest refractive astigmatism magnitude at 2 months. The secondary outcome measures included the manifest refraction, corneal keratometry, and distance visual acuity (corrected and uncorrected). The results obtained with the Barrett toric calculator were compared with simulated results based on the toric calculators designed for the IOLs being used. RESULTS: Data from 98 eyes of 54 subjects were available for analysis. In the 74 eyes with postoperative lens orientation as planned, and sufficient IOL cylinder power to correct subjects’ measured astigmatism, 77% of eyes (57/74) had 0.5 diopter (D) or less refractive cylinder 2 months postoperatively, while 89% (66/74) had 0.75 D or less. Simulated results after adjusting actual IOL orientation to the planned orientation suggested that the Barrett calculator would result in postoperative residual astigmatism about 0.2 D lower than that expected with standard calculators. CONCLUSION: Use of the Barrett toric calculator with biometry data from the Lenstar LS900 biometer for toric IOL planning in a clinical setting resulted in significantly lower levels of residual refractive cylinder than might be expected with standard calculators. Postoperative lens orientation and variability in the measurement of corneal astigmatism pre- and postoperatively appear to be important limiting factors in toric IOL outcomes.