Evaluation of refractive error after cataract surgery in highly myopic eyes

To analyze both targeted and measured refractive errors in highly myopic eyes after phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation (PEA + IOL) and to examine the preoperative factors which influenced these refractive errors, we reviewed medical records of patients who had undergone PEA + IOL. Highly myopic eye was defined as one with axial length (AL) ≥26.50 mm. Mean refractive error (ME), mean absolute refractive error (MAE), and incidence of mean refractive error (IME) within ± 1.00 diopter (D) of targeted refraction were determined. IOL power was selected by SRK/T formula. Consequently, after 568 eyes of the 429 patients were studied, 84 eyes out of 64 patients (15.1 %) had high myopia. ME was +0.45 ± 0.79 diopter (D), MAE was 0.72 ± 0.47 D, and 70 % of refractive errors were within ±1.00 D of the targeted refraction. Postoperative refractive error was significantly higher in eyes where AL ≥31.00 mm, ME = + 1.22 ± 0.64 D, MAE = + 1.22 ± 0.64 D, IME (within ±1.00 D) = 30 %. However, refractive error was minimal when the 2-set optimized A constants, positive and negative power IOLs, were used for calculation. In conclusion, in eyes with high myopia after cataract surgery, mild to moderate myopia was the most common refractive status. However, 14.1 % of these patients have selected emmetropia. Refractive error was higher in eyes with AL ≥31.00 mm.