High precision biometry of pseudophakic eyes using partial coherence interferometry

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Abstract
Purpose: To investigate the applicability of the scanning version of dual-beam partial coherence interferometry (PCI) for measuring the anterior segment and axial length of pseudophakic eyes in a clinical setting and to determine the achievable precision with this biometry technique. Setting: Department of Ophthalmology, Vienna General Hospital, and Institute of Medical Physics, University of Vienna, Austria. Methods: Partial coherence interferometry was performed in 39 pseudophakic eyes of 39 patients after implantation of a foldable acrylic intraocular lens (IOL). Results: Effective lens position (ELP), IOL thickness, and lens-capsule distance (LCD) were determined with a precision of 2 to 3 μm; corneal thickness and axial eye length, with a precision of 0.8 and 5.0 μm, respectively. The mean ELP of the IOL was 4.093 mm ± 0.290 (SD). In 7 eyes (18%), a positive LCD of 68 ± 40 μm was detected with PCI. Mean corneal thickness was 526.4 ± 31.5 μm; mean IOL thickness, 791.5 α 40.2 μm; and mean axial length, 23.388 ± 0.824 mm. Conclusion: The scanning version of PCI enables high precision (≤5 μm) and high resolution (∼12 Fun) biometry of pseudophakic eyes that is better than conventional ultrasound by a factor of more than 20. For the first time, positive LCD, a possible risk factor for posterior capsule opacification, could be detected and quantified. Furthermore, this technique offers a high degree of comfort for the patient since it is a noncontact method with no need for local anesthesia or pupil dilation and has a reduced risk of corneal infection.

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