Optical biometry features in silicon oil filled eyes

Abstract

Background. The article presents results of axial length (AL) measurement in eyes filled with silicone oil and in those without silicone oil with IOLMaster and Lenstar LS 900 optical biometry methods. Materials and methods. The anteroposterior axis was measured in 27 eyes of 27 patients with silicone oil tamponade after surgical treatment of several vitreoretinal conditions. Using IOLMaster, the AL of eyes without silicone oil tamponade varied from 21.99 mm to 29.38 mm, Lenstar LS 900 biometry gave results from 21.96 mm to 29.41 mm. Results. According to data obtained and to their distribution, all cases were divided into 2 groups: I group — eyes with AL less than 23.63 mm, and II group — eyes with AL more than 23.63 mm. In the group II, the disparity of consecutive measurements was reliable and amounted to 0.28 ± 0.46 mm (р = 0.024) for IOLMaster and 0.23 ± 0.44 mm (р = 0.029) for Lenstar LS 900. Conclusion. So AL values at IOLMaster and Lenstar LS 900 biometry of silicone oil filled eyes may significantly overestimate the real ones when exceeding 23.63 mm. In case of simultaneous phacoemulsification with IOL implantation, this could lead to hypermetropic shift of postoperative refraction. Lenstar LS 900 measurement error in silicon oil filled eyes is less than that of IOLMaster, thus making the first biometry method preferable. In eyes with AL shorter than 23.63 mm, the measurement difference was not reliable, thus the biometry accuracy in silicone oil filled “short” eyes becomes higher.