COMPARISON OF IOL MASTER AND ULTRASOUND A-SCAN BIOMETRY IN POST-OPERATIVE REFRACTIVE OUTCOME AFTER CATARACT SURGERY

Abstract

Objective:  To compare the efficacy of IOL Master optical biometry and ultrasound a-scan biometry in achieving post-operative refractive outcome after cataract surgery. 

Study Design: Quasi Experimental Study

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Ophthalmology at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Lahore, over a period of three months w.e.f. 21-10-2025 to 21-01-2026.

Methodology: After ethical review approval, patients were screened by taking ocular history and performing a clinical examination and allocated two groups on non-random basis. Preoperative assessment included BCVA and UCVA with a Snellen chart, slit-lamp and fundus examination, and autorefraction for astigmatism and refractive error. Group A underwent IOL Master 700 biometry, while Group B had keratometry with HUVITZ MRK-3100 and ultrasound A-scan. Patients received anesthesia with 0.5% proparacaine eye drops, underwent phacoemulsification, and were followed on day 1, week 1, month 1, and month 3 for visual outcomes and complications.  

Results: Sixty patients were equally divided into IOL Master and ultrasound A-scan groups. Baseline characterizes were comparable between the groups i.e. UCVA (p=0.973), BCVA (p=0.791), and refractive error (p=0.647). IOL Master group was much more successful in postoperative UCVA and BCVA (p<0.05). One month later, the results regarding refraction were also better (p<0.05).

Conclusion: This study demonstrates that IOL Master optical biometry provides more precise IOL power calculations and superior postoperative visual and refractive outcomes compared to ultrasound A-scan, while baseline ocular parameters were comparable. Optical biometry is therefore recommended for routine cataract surgery to optimize uncorrected and best-corrected visual acuity and refractive accuracy.