Influence of Posterior Corneal Asphericity On Power Calculation Error After Laser In Situ Keratomileusis or Photorefractive Keratectomy for Myopia.

Objectives: To assess the impact of posterior corneal asphericity on postoperative calculation error using the Haigis-L and the Barrett formulas for eyes after laser in situ keratomileusis or photorefractive keratectomy (PRK).

Methods: We assessed the mean absolute error (MAE) of two power calculation formulas, Barrett true-K and Haigis-L formulas, in a retrospective analysis of 34 eyes of 34 patients who underwent cataract surgery. We performed a regression analysis between corneal parameters (anterior and posterior Q values, Kmax, K1, and K2) and the MAE of each formula.

Results: In the cohort, 11 eyes were of women and 23 of men. The average age of the study population was 66.5±8.6 years. The mean axial length was 24±4.7 mm, the mean anterior chamber depth was 3.27±0.7 mm, and the mean posterior Q-value was -0.15±0.28. The MAE of Haigis-L and Barrett true-K formulas were 0.72 and 0.68, respectively (P=0.54). The regression analysis showed a statistically significant relationship only between the error in refraction prediction and the posterior Q-value regardless of the formula used. The coefficient of determination was higher for the Barrett true-K formula (r=0.52; R2=0.28; P<0.05), compared with the Haigis-L (r=0.49; R2=0.25; P<0.05).

Conclusions: Posterior corneal surface asphericity influences the refractive error of calculation using both Haigis-L and Barrett true-K formulas for eyes after a myopic PRK or laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis surgery.