Post-LASIK IOL calculations

Ms. PRK tells me she isn’t overly worried about her refractive outcome following cataract surgery. But, she’s also had previous refractive which certainly causes me to raise a red flag! This is a patient who clearly cares (or at least previously cared!) about refraction!

I’m reflecting on the Toronto Cataract Course 2019 that took place in March, where I had a wonderful time connecting with colleagues, learning new insights, and picking up pearls. The knowledge I gleaned at this meeting will definitely help me to optimize refractive results for my cataract patients.

In particular, we are all aware of the challenges in selecting intraocular lens (IOL) powers for post-refractive patients undergoing cataract surgery. Over the years, a number of different approaches to dealing with this challenge have been developed, but there is room for further improvement. The scope of this problem will only grow as we encounter more post-refractive patients requiring cataract surgery.

I would like to highlight two links that serve as the backbone of post-refractive IOL calculations in 2019. The first is the ASCRS post-refractive IOL calculator, and the second is Graham Barrett’s True K post-LASIK calculator. Armed with these two resources, I think many of us will be able to more effectively tackle these interesting cases going forward.

ASCRS post-refractive IOL calculator: http://iolcalc.ascrs.org/ – please be mindful to pick the appropriate previous refractive surgery along the top.

The Barrett True K calculator: http://www.apacrs.org/barrett_true_K_universal_2/.  With this calculator, please be sure to select the appropriate previous refractive surgery from the drop down menu.

Recommended by Dr. Amandeep Rai
Amandeep Rai, MD, FRCSC
Practice Resource Centre Committee Member