Optical biometry using partial coherence interferometry prior to cataract surgery

Medical Services Advisory Committee
Record ID 32005001147
English
Authors' objectives:

This report investigates the use of partial coherence interferometry for optical biometry prior to cataract surgery

Authors' results and conclusions: Partial coherence interferometry (PCI) biometry is a user- and patient-friendly method for axial length (AL) determination and intraocular lens (IOL) planning in the preparation of cataract surgery. Its accuracy is statistically superior to that of the commonly used applanation ultrasound (AUS) and is comparable to that of the high-precision immersion ultrasound (IUS). PCI has the potential to become a routine method for IOL calculations in cataract surgery in cases of otherwise 'normal' cataract eyes without additional pathologies and with visual acuities > or = 0.1. However, it has been found that PCI is unable to optically measure cataract eyes in certain cases. Among the reasons were: . inability to cooperate (fixate); . keratopathy; . corneal scarring; . mature cataract; . nystagmus; . lid abnormalities; . vitreous haemorrhage; . membrane formation; . maculopathy; and . retinal detachment. Thus, it seems that with present technology, the eyes of 9-15 per cent of the patients presenting at university eye clinics cannot be measured by PCI. In these cases, ultrasound biometry will remain indispensable.
Authors' recommendations: MSAC recommended that on the strength of evidence pertaining to partial coherence interferometry (PCI), public funding should be supported for measuring axial length of one or both eyes prior to cataract surgery.
Authors' methods: Review
Details
Project Status: Completed
URL for project: http://www.msac.gov.au/pdfs/reports/msac1050.pdf
Year Published: 2003
English language abstract: An English language summary is available
Publication Type: Not Assigned
Country: Australia
MeSH Terms
  • Ocular Physiological Phenomena
Contact
Organisation Name: Medical Services Advisory Committee
Contact Address: MSAC (MDP 107), GPO Box 9848, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia. Tel: +61 2 6289 6811; Fax: +61 2 6289 8799.
Contact Name: msac.secretariat@health.gov.au
Contact Email: msac.secretariat@health.gov.au
Copyright: Medical Services Advisory Committee
This is a bibliographic record of a published health technology assessment from a member of INAHTA or other HTA producer. No evaluation of the quality of this assessment has been made for the HTA database.