Refractive predictability in eyes with intraocular gas tamponade – results of a prospective controlled clinical trial

Abstract

Purpose

To determine the postoperative refractive error in eyes with intraocular gas tamponade in combined phacovitrectomy using a Z-haptic intraocular lens (IOL).

Methods

This prospective non-randomized case-control study compared patients with combined phacovitrectomy with or without intraocular gas tamponade to cataract surgery-only. The main outcome measure was the IOL power prediction error (PE). Secondary outcome measures were spherical equivalent, anterior chamber depth (ACD), and axial length.

Results

Thirty-four patients with epiretinal membranes and 18 patients with cataract only were enrolled. There were no statistically significant (P>0.05) differences of IOL power PE or postoperative ACDs (P=0.952–1.00). Nevertheless, IOL power PE indicated a myopic shift in cases with phacovitrectomy independent of gas tamponade (P=1.00). No statistically significant between-group differences between secondary outcome measures were observed.

Conclusion

A myopic shift after phacovitrectomy seems to be independent of the use of intraocular gas tamponade. When using a Z-haptic IOL, aiming for slight residual hyperopia (+0.50 D) is suggested in patients having phacovitrectomy.

Keywords:

• IOL power prediction error
• myopic shift
• intraocular gas tamponade
• biometry
• pars plana vitrectomy
• axial length

Acknowledgments

The authors thank Dr Christos Skevas, a surgeon in this study, who advised on the manuscript.

Disclosure

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.