Long-Term Outcomes of Radial Keratotomy, Laser In Situ Keratomileusis, and Astigmatic Keratotomy Performed Consecutively over a Period of 21 Years

The VRF-L and VRF-GL IOL power calculation methods after radial keratotomy

BACKGROUND

To investigate the accuracy of the VRF-L and VRF-GL IOL power calculation methods in cataract surgery after radial keratotomy (RK).

METHODS

The VRF-L and VRF-GL methods were collated with nine formulas: Barrett True K (No History), Haigis, Hoffer Q, Hoffer Q (Double-K), Holladay 1 (Double-K), Holladay 2 (Double-K), PEARL-DGS (RK), SRK/T (Double-K), and T2 (Double-K). With SS-OCT biometry (IOLMaster 700, Carl Zeiss Meditec), data of 78 eyes from 78 patients with previous RK was included. Optimised lens constants were sourced from the IOL Con website. Subjective refraction was obtained at 4 to 5 months postoperatively. The root mean square absolute error (RMSAE) and median absolute error (MedAE) were chosen as primary outcomes and the percentage of eyes with PEs within ±0.25 D, ±0.50 D, ±0.75 D, and ±1.00 D were analysed.

RESULTS

Statistical significance (Bootstrap-t test, P < 0.05) was shown by VRF-GL, VRF-L, and Haigis formulas with the lowest RMSAE (0.813 D, 0.816 D and 0.824 D) and MedAE (0.511 D, 0.497 D and 0.533 D) values. The Barrett True K formula was less predictable (0.836 and 0.580, respectively). The VRF-L, VRF-GL, and Haigis achieved the highest percentage of eyes with a PE within ±0.50 D (52.56%, 50.00%, and 46.15%) and ±1.00 D (79.49%, 79.49%, and 80.77% respectively).

CONCLUSION

The VRF-L and VRF-GL methods demonstrated higher accuracy and were comparable with existing methods in eyes after RK. The Haigis was an alternative option with a higher percentage of eyes with a PE within ±1.00 D (80.77%).

Accuracy of Traditional and Modern Formulas for Intraocular Lens Power Calculation After Radial Keratotomy Using Standard Keratometry

Purpose

To compare the accuracy of multiple traditional and modern intraocular lens (IOL) power calculation formulas in post-radial keratotomy (RK) patients undergoing cataract surgery.

Methods

This retrospective case series included 50 eyes with prior RK who underwent routine phacoemulsification surgery with single-piece acrylic IOL implantation (A constant = 118.8). Outcomes of multiple formulas were calculated. Included formulas were SRK/T, Holladay 1, Holladay 2, Haigis, Barrett True-K, Haigis and Barrett True-K (target refraction of 0.50 D), Barrett Universal II, Kane, PEARL-DGS, Shammas no history, DK SRK/T, DK SRK/T (target refraction of 0.50 D), Double K (DK) Holladay 1, and DK Holladay 1 (target refraction of 0.50 D). Averages of multiple combinations of best-performing single formulas were calculated. Primary outcome is mean absolute error (MAE).

Results

Haigis (with -0.50 D target refraction) and DK SRK/T showed the lowest mean and median absolute errors (MedAE) followed by Haigis, Barrett True-K, and Barrett True-K (with -0.50 D target refraction). Combinations of 3, 4, or 5 of best performing single formulas yielded good results with >60% of cases within +0.50 D of intended refraction and MAE around 0.50 D. The best performing formulas with flatter K readings were PEARL-DGS and Haigis (with additional -0.50 D target refraction) with MAE of 0.72 + 0.71 D and 0.70 + 0.70 D, respectively, followed by Barrett True-K (with intended -0.50 D target refraction) with MAE of 0.75 + 0.63 D.

Conclusion

Using an average of three or more Haigis (with -0.50 D target refraction), the Barrett True-K, DK Holladay 1, and DK SRK/T formulas showed better outcomes than using a single formula for IOLMaster 700 standard K readings. The PEARL-DGS formula showed better accuracy in eyes with flatter K readings (<38 D).

[On the question of progressive hyperopia correction after radial keratotomy]

Progressive hyperopia development in the long-term period after radial keratotomy (RC) is associated with not only surgical effects, but also individual biomechanical features of the fibrous tunic of the eye, its age-related changes, and hydrodynamic disturbances. When choosing a method of correction, one should take into account a number of features characteristic of this induced refractive disorder: instability and irregularity of refraction, coexisting presbyopia, and, in some cases, anisometropia. Correction of progressive hyperopia after RC can be achieved with eyeglasses, or contacts, or intraocular lenses depending on the subjective factor - the so-called patient adherence. The most effective in terms of functionality is contact correction with scleral rigid gas-permeable lenses, and in the presence of pronounced lens opacities - intraocular correction.

A pinhole implant to correct postoperative residual refractive error in an RK cataract patient

Purpose

To report the clinical outcomes after implantation of a pinhole supplementary implant (Xtrafocus, Morcher GmbH, Stuttgart, Germany) to correct fluctuating residual refraction after cataract surgery in a patient with a history of radial keratotomy (RK).

Observations

A 62-year-old patient who had radial keratotomy 22 years earlier, underwent uneventful bilateral cataract surgery using the ASCRS IOL-Calculator for post-RK. Postoperatively, the patient showed fluctuating subjective manifest refraction (MR) on both eyes. To correct the large fluctuating residual refractive error and subjectively worse visual acuity, Xtrafocus IOL was implanted in the right eye. One week later, the uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) was already 0.1 logMAR and the patient stated to have stable vision. Three months after Xtrafocus implantation, the UDVA was −0.04 logMAR which did not improve with MR and the patient expressed high satisfaction, good subjective binocular contrast sensitivity, comparable visual field outcomes, and an elongated depth of focus.

Conclusions and Importance

The pinhole sulcus implant not only helped eliminate the fluctuation in residual refraction after cataract surgery, but also provided an elongated depth of focus without greatly affecting the visual field. The supplementary implantation of the Xtrafocus lens can offer an effective option for the treatment of instable refractive errors after cataract surgery in patients with a history of corneal surgery.

Comparison of Newer IOL Power Calculation Methods for Eyes With Previous Radial Keratotomy

Purpose

To evaluate the accuracy of the optical coherence tomography–based (OCT formula) and Barrett True K (True K) intraocular lens (IOL) calculation formulas in eyes with previous radial keratotomy (RK).

Methods

In 95 eyes of 65 patients, using the actual refraction following cataract surgery as target refraction, the predicted IOL power for each method was calculated. The IOL prediction error (PE) was obtained by subtracting the predicted IOL power from the implanted IOL power. The arithmetic IOL PE and median refractive PE were calculated and compared.

Results

All formulas except the True K produced hyperopic IOL PEs at 1 month, which decreased at ≥4 months (all P < 0.05). For the double-K Holladay 1, OCT formula, True K, and average of these three formulas (Average), the median absolute refractive PEs were, respectively, 0.78 diopters (D), 0.74 D, 0.60 D, and 0.59 D at 1 month; 0.69 D, 0.77 D, 0.77 D, and 0.61 D at 2 to 3 months; and 0.34 D, 0.65 D, 0.69 D, and 0.46 D at ≥4 months. The Average produced significantly smaller refractive PE than did the double-K Holladay 1 at 1 month (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in refractive PEs among formulas at 4 months.

Conclusions

The OCT formula and True K were comparable to the double-K Holladay 1 method on the ASCRS (American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery) calculator. The Average IOL power on the ASCRS calculator may be considered when selecting the IOL power. Further improvements in the accuracy of IOL power calculation in RK eyes are desirable.