Ep. 13 Biometry Tips & Tricks

Monday, 20 March 2023

Bios:

Prof. Gerd Auffarth (host)
Professor Gerd Auffarth is one of the world’s leading intraocular lens experts. He is a Chairman of The Department of Ophthalmology, Ruprecht-Karls University of Heidelberg, and the Head of the David J. Apple Center for Vision Research. He also serves as the Director of the IVCRC. In 2018, Gerd ranked second in the The Ophthalmologist’s Powerlist of the World’s Top 100 most influential people in the world of ophthalmology.

Dr. Nino Hirnschall (guest)
Dr. Nino Hirnschall is an internationally renowned expert in biometry and a surgical consultant at the Kepler University Hospital in Linz, Austria. He completed his training in Vienna at the Hanusch Hospital and has worked in many clinics across the UK and Australia.

 

Summary:

Is there really a gold standard for biometry? In this episode of Peer2Peer: The Podcast, host Professor Gerd Auffarth leads a discussion on important biometry considerations with guest and internationally renowned expert, Dr. Nino Hirnschall.

As we become more and more overwhelmed by new technologies, it can be difficult to decide which device(s) to use and more importantly, which one to trust. Biometric measurements for IOL calculation have transformed from just basic parameters to more detailed measurements of the eye with more specific parameters. Are these new technologies fool proof? What kind of problems can still occur, even after using the newest, most advanced technology? Listen in as Professor Auffarth and Dr. Hirnschall examine these questions and provide their tips and tricks of how to navigate through the various biometry options today.

 

Key Takeaways:

• For Prof. Auffarth and Dr. Hirnschall, there is no longer a gold standard for biometry. In order to obtain accurate measurements, multiple measurements must be taken with several devices and compared, and the medical history of the patient must be taken into consideration.
• Biometry has changed over the years from a simple calculation of a lens to a comprehensive diagnostic system.
• Swept-source OTCs currently provide the most advanced, quality measurements because they allow you to have a bright, sharp image.
• Hirnschall believes that the main source of error for biometry calculations today is the prediction of the position of the lens, but new more modern formulas such as the EVO formula, the Kane Formula, and the Barrett Formula are producing better results.

 

Additional Resources:

Peer2Peer educational platform
https://rayner.com/peer2peer/

Sources of error in toric intraocular lens power calculation
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/346057293_Sources_of_Error_in_Toric_Intraocular_Lens_Power_Calculation

Update on biometry and intraocular lens power calculation
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/343429244_Update_Biometrie_und_KunstlinsenberechnungUpdate_on_biometry_and_intraocular_lens_power_calculation

Assessment of a new averaging algorithm to increase the sensitivity of axial eye length measurement with optical biometry in eyes with dense cataract
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0886335010014239

ESCRS IOL Calculator
https://iolcalculator.escrs.org/

Connect with Prof. Gerd Auffarth on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/prof-dr-med-gerd-u-auffarth-febo-a935794/

Connect with Dr. Hirnschall on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/nino-hirnschall-565b9015a/