Factors contributing to long-term refractive error after cataract surgery

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Refractive Surgery
• Biometry

Background:

• Cataract surgery aims for precise refractive outcomes.
• Predicting long-term refractive error post-surgery remains a challenge.
• Biometric factors play a crucial role in refractive stability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify factors influencing long-term refractive error after cataract surgery.
• To evaluate the impact of pre-operative measurements on post-operative refractive outcomes.
• To assess the predictability of refractive error at 3 years post-surgery.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective observational study of 221 eyes undergoing cataract phacoemulsification.
• Collected pre-operative data: anterior chamber depth (ACD), keratometry, axial length (AL), lens thickness.
• Measured spherical equivalent (SEQ) refraction at 2 months and 3 years post-operatively.

Main Results:

• 98.2% of eyes achieved refractive error within 1.00 D at 3 years.
• Mean prediction error significantly decreased between 2 months and 3 years.
• Pre-operative ACD and ACD-to-AL ratio were significantly associated with SEQ prediction error.

Conclusions:

• Anterior chamber depth (ACD) and ACD-to-axial length (AL) ratio influence post-cataract surgery refractive outcomes.
• Pre-operative assessment of these factors can optimize intraocular lens (IOL) selection.
• Further prospective studies are needed to confirm findings in larger cohorts.