AIM: To evaluate the clinical application of IOL Master by comparing with traditional ultrasound biometry on the accuracy and characteristics of intraocular lens calculation.

METHODS:Data was analyzed from 164 patients(206 eyes)with age-related cataracts who underwent phacoemulsification and intraocular lens(IOL)implantation in our hospital from June 2014 to June 2015. Before surgery, axial length and corneal curvature were measured with IOL Master and combined application of ultrasonic or manual keratometry, respectively. Phacoemulsification and foldable lens implantation were done in the patients. IOL power calculation was carried out using the SRK-Ⅱ formula with the basis of IOL Master data. The visual acuity and refractive outcome were followed-up for 3mo postoperatively.

RESULTS:There was a significant difference between the two methods on axial length measurement which was 23.86±1.05mm by IOL Master and 23.50±0.83mm by ultrasound(P=0.025). There was also a significant difference between the two methods on corneal curvature measurement which was 44.18±1.35D by IOL Master and 43.70±1.41D by keratometry(P=0.01). The mean absolute error(MAE), at 3mo after operation, was 0.41±0.30D and 0.93±1.10D by the IOL Master and ultrasound groups, respectively, there was a significant difference between the two methods(P=0.027).

CONCLUSION:The IOL Master is a non-contact, safe, easy-to-do and patient-friendly methods for axial length and corneal curvature measurement with high accuracy, thus it can calculate the IOL power more accurate and improve the predictive value for postoperative refraction.