Biometry, Refractive Errors, and the Results of Cataract Surgery: A Large Sample Study

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Biometry
• Refractive Error Analysis

Background:

• Cataract surgery outcomes depend on precise pre-operative biometric and refractive error assessment.
• Understanding demographic variations in ocular parameters is crucial for personalized surgical planning.
• Cuban population data on biometry and refractive error are limited, especially concerning sex and age differences.

Purpose of the Study:

• To statistically analyze biometry and refractive error in a large cohort of Cuban cataract patients.
• To compare these parameters between sexes and age groups.
• To evaluate refractive prediction error and visual acuity changes post-cataract surgery.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 28,252 eyes from 25,068 cataract patients (2006-2019) at the Cuban Institute of Ophthalmology.
• Biometric measurements using IOL Master devices, including axial length, anterior chamber depth, lens thickness, and keratometry.
• Pre- and post-operative visual acuity and refraction measurements; refractive prediction error and anisometropia were calculated.

Main Results:

• Significant sex differences observed: male eyes longer, deeper anterior chambers, thinner lenses; female eyes steeper keratometry.
• Pre-operative average refraction was myopic in both sexes, more pronounced in males (p < 0.001).
• Post-operative average spherical equivalent was -0.36 D, with females remaining more myopic (p < 0.001); significant visual acuity improvement occurred.

Conclusions:

• Distinct pre-operative biometric and refractive characteristics exist between sexes in Cuban cataract patients.
• Post-operative outcomes show a slight myopic shift, with sex-based differences persisting.
• Findings are relevant for optimizing cataract surgery planning in Cuba and populations with similar ethnic compositions globally.