The American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) offers online tools designed to assist ophthalmologists in refining intraocular lens (IOL) power calculations for patients who have previously undergone laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) or other refractive surgeries. These resources address the challenges inherent in accurately determining the corneal power after refractive surgery, a critical factor for achieving optimal visual outcomes following cataract surgery. These calculators, often algorithm-based, help estimate corneal power based on pre- and post-refractive surgery data.
Accurate IOL power calculation is paramount for achieving desired refractive outcomes after cataract surgery. Prior corneal refractive surgery alters the anterior corneal curvature, leading to inaccuracies when using traditional keratometry-based formulas. These calculators, developed and validated by experienced professionals in the field, provide surgeons with a mechanism to mitigate these errors and refine their IOL power selection, enhancing the likelihood of achieving target refraction. The development of such resources represents a significant advancement in managing post-refractive surgery patients undergoing subsequent cataract extraction.
