Rotational Stability of Intraocular Lenses: A Standardized Method for More Accurate Measurements in Future Studies

To assess the reliability and reproducibility of a new semiautomated evaluation method, "Rotix," for intraocular lens (IOL) rotation and to define a standardized evaluation method for future toric IOL studies.

Reliability and reproducibility study.

Setting: Department of Ophthalmology, Medical University of Vienna.

A dataset of 25 patients with 2 consecutive follow-up visits was created to test the intra- and interrater reliability. A data test set of 10 patients including 30 pictures taken 5 minutes apart was created to test the short-term reproducibility.

Evaluation of IOL rotational stability using nontoric implants in 25 × 2 consecutive follow-up visits. Two experienced graders performed axis evaluation 3 times in a randomized order. One experienced grader performed axis evaluation for the short-term reproducibility study. Reference landmarks at the end of operation were used to assess the IOL axis.

Intra- and interrater reliability and short-term reproducibility of axis measurements.

Mean standard deviation for intrarater reliability was 0.16 degrees. The intraclass correlation coefficients were 0.97 for grader 1 and 0.96 for grader 2. A very high interrater correlation of 0.95 was found. The mean individual difference between grader 1 and grader 2 was 0.061 ± 0.28 degrees. Short-term reproducibility showed a mean standard deviation of 0.22 ± 0.14 degrees.

The novel semiautomated evaluation method showed an accurate inter- and intrarater reliability. Short-term reproducibility was below 0.25 degrees. The method of using nonmovable reference landmarks showed reliable results and should be used as a standard in future toric IOL studies.