Spectral-Domain OCT Lens Meridian Position as a Metric to Estimate Postoperative Anatomical Lens Position

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Medical Imaging
• Surgical Technology

Background:

• Accurate prediction of postoperative anatomical lens position (ALP) is crucial for achieving desired refractive outcomes in cataract surgery.
• Femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery (FLACS) offers precision but requires reliable methods for intraoperative assessment of lens parameters.
• Traditional metrics for predicting lens position may not fully capture the dynamic changes occurring during surgery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the predictive capability of intraoperative spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) derived lens anatomy metrics for postoperative anatomical lens position (ALP).
• To assess the correlation between intraoperative lens meridian position (LMP) and postoperative ALP in patients undergoing femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery.

Main Methods:

• Intraoperative SD-OCT and postoperative optical biometry were utilized to measure anterior segment landmarks.
• Key metrics included lens thickness, lens volume, anterior chamber depth, and lens meridian position (LMP).
• Correlation analysis was performed between intraoperative LMP and postoperative ALP, with stratification by axial length and intraocular lens (IOL) type.

Main Results:

• A statistically significant correlation was found between intraoperative LMP and postoperative ALP (R² = 0.522, P < .01).
• Intraoperative LMP was identified as the strongest predictor of postoperative ALP (β = 0.766, P < .001).
• No significant correlation was observed between LMP or ALP and lens thickness.

Conclusions:

• Intraoperative SD-OCT measured LMP demonstrates a strong correlation with postoperative ALP, outperforming anterior chamber depth and axial length as a predictor.
• LMP derived from intraoperative SD-OCT is a valuable metric for predicting the final anatomical lens position following femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery.
• Further research is warranted to explore the impact of LMP measurements on postoperative refractive outcomes.