Intraocular Lens Power Calculation Formulas in Children-A Systematic Review

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Biomedical Engineering
• Pediatric Surgery

Background:

• Accurate intraocular lens (IOL) power calculation is critical for successful phacoemulsification, especially in pediatric cases.
• Various formulas exist for IOL power calculation, each with varying degrees of accuracy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate and compare the accuracy of commonly used IOL power calculation formulas in pediatric eyes.
• To identify the most reliable formula for IOL power selection in children undergoing cataract surgery.

Main Methods:

• A systematic literature review of studies published between 2019 and 2024 was conducted.
• Searches included databases like PubMed, Crossref, and Google Scholar using keywords related to IOL power calculation and pediatric cataract surgery.
• Fourteen recent, peer-reviewed papers with large sample sizes were analyzed.

Main Results:

• Formulas were assessed based on mean absolute error (MAE) and the percentage of predictions within ±0.5 D and ±1.0 D.
• Hoffer Q showed the best MAE most frequently, followed closely by SRK/T and Barrett Universal II.
• Barrett Universal II demonstrated the best results for predictions within ±1.0 D, with Holladay 1 also performing well.

Conclusions:

• The Barrett Universal II formula appears to be the most accurate for pediatric IOL power calculation.
• The Holladay 1 formula also offers very good postoperative outcomes.
• Consensus on the optimal formula for pediatric IOL power calculation is still lacking.