Comparison of the Kane formula with existing formulas for intraocular lens power selection.

Objective: To compare the accuracy of a new intraocular lens (IOL) power formula (Kane formula) with existing formulas using IOLMaster, predominantly model 3, biometry (measures variables axial length, keratometry and anterior chamber depth) and optimised lens constants. To compare the accuracy of three new or updated IOL power formulas (Kane, Hill-RBF V.2.0 and Holladay 2 with new axial length adjustment) compared with existing formulas (Olsen, Barrett Universal 2, Haigis, Holladay 1, Hoffer Q, SRK/T).

Methods and analysis: A single surgeon retrospective case review was performed from patients having uneventful cataract surgery with Acrysof IQ SN60WF IOL implantation over 11 years in a Melbourne private practice. Using optimised lens constants, the predicted refractive outcome for each formula was calculated for each patient. This was compared with the actual refractive outcome to give the prediction error. Eyes were separated into subgroups based on axial length as follows: short (≤22.0 mm), medium (>22.0 to <26.0 mm) and long (≥26.0 mm).

Results: The study included 846 patients. Over the entire axial length range, the Kane formula had the lowest mean absolute prediction error (p<0.001, all formulas). The mean postoperative difference from intended outcome for the Kane formula was -0.14+0.27×1 (95% LCL -1.52+0.93×43; 95% UCL +0.54+1.03×149). The formula demonstrated the lowest absolute error in the medium axial length range (p<0.001). In the short and long axial length groups, no formula demonstrated a significantly lower absolute mean prediction error.

Conclusion: Using three variables (AL, K, ACD), the Kane formula was a more accurate predictor of actual postoperative refraction than the other formulae under investigation. There were not enough eyes of short or long axial length to adequately power statistical comparisons within axial length subgroups.