Abstract
Purpose: :
To determine the biometry error after cataract surgery by residents in a teaching facility.
Methods: :
A retrospective chart review of cataract surgery performed in one academic year at a teaching institution was conducted. One hundred eighty seven cases of cataract surgery performed by phacoemulsification were reviewed. Surgery was performed by one of four residents under the supervision of one attending. Biometry was performed by one of three technicians.
Results: :
Postoperatively, 143/187 (76%) of all patients had a best corrected visual acuity of 20/40 or greater. Biometry error was within ± 0.5 diopter (D) in 48.7%, within ± 1.0 D in 82.4%, and within ± 2.0 D in 96.6% of patients. Incision type (scleral tunnel vs clear cornea) did not cause any significant difference in biometry error. Axial length did not have any significant effect on the degree of biometry error.
Conclusions: :
This data will help provide information to monitor biometry quality and guide intraocular lens implant selection. These results indicate that acceptable refractive outcomes are achievable in a busy teaching setting with multiple residents and technicians.
Keywords: refractive error development • crystalline lens • clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: outcomes/complications