The Accuracy of Axial Length Measurement Using Partial Coherence Interferometrys

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: IOLMaster(R), a non-contact device using partial coherence interferometry, serves as a new optical method for axial length determination. The accuracy of this device was analyzed by comparing the measurements from IOLMaster(R) and A-scan. METHODS: We measured the axial lengths in 150 eyes of 80 patients with IOLMaster(R) and A-scan. Then, we examined the difference of measurements between the IOLMaster(R) and A-scan according to the patients' age, refractive error, type of cataract, and existence of cataract. RESULTS: Axial length could not be measured with IOLMaster(R) in 12 eyes, which all had severe cataract. The measurements from IOLMaster(R) in both, the cataract group and the normal group, resulted 0.02mm longer than those from A-scan, but did not differ significantly (p>0.1). Also, there was no statistical difference of measurements between IOLMaster(R) and A-scan according to the patients' age, refractive error, and types of cataract (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Axial length measurement with IOLMaster(R) shows no significant difference from A-scan measurement. Therefore, IOLMaster(R) can be a new clinical method of axial length measurement except for cases of a severe cataract.