OPTIMAL SINGLE INTRAOCULAR LENS POWER (IOL) CALCULATION FOR ADULT POPULATION
OBJECTIVES: To determine the single optimal intraocular lens power based on average biometricassessment for adult cataract surgery in free eye camps.MATERIALS AND METHODS: Prospective observational study of 4 years duration from 1stFebruary 2010 to 31st January 2014.SETTING: Community based Trust eye hospital in Tarakai village of District Swabi.METHODS: All adult patients, undergoing cataract surgery with intraocular lens (IOL) implantationwere included in the study after informed consent and fulfilling the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Allpatients were operated by manual small incision cataract surgery by the same surgeon (AI). Preoperative and Post- operative best spectacle corrected visual acuity (BSCVA) at two months follow upwas noted. Keratometric readings (K1 & K2), axial length and IOL power were calculated and dataanalyzed by using SPSS version 20 software database.RESULTS: Out of 1500 patients with cataract 668 (44.5%) were males and 832 (55.5%) were females.Right eye was involved in 826 (55.1%) patients whereas; left eye was involved in 674 (44.9%) patients.Mean K1 reading was 44.82± 1.80 D. Mean K2 reading was 44.94± 1.80 D. Mean axial length readingwas 23.11± 1.28 mm. 36.6 ifc(n=403) patients had axial length between 23-23.99 mm. Mean IOL powerin dioptres for males was 20.06± 2.53 D with minimum power of 2.00 D, maximum was 27 D and modewas 20.00 D. Mean IOL power in dioptres for females was 20.12 ± 3.43 D with minimum power of -2.00 D, maximum was 36.50 D and mode was 20.00 D. Mean IOL power was 20.10 ± 3.06 D. In 798patients (53.2 %) IOL used was in the range of 20.00 D to 22.00 D. Pre-operative best spectaclecorrected visual acuity was <6/60 in 58.4% (n=877) patients. Post operative best corrected visual acuity6/18 or better was present in 90.5% (n= 1357) patients at two months follow up.CONCLUSION: In community eye care centers located in far-flung areas with no facilities for properbiometric assessment of cataract patients, using an IOL power in the range of 20.00 D to 22.00 D wouldgive optimal visual results.KEY WORDS: Biometry, Keratometric readings, Axial Length, Intraocular lens.