Intraocular lens calculator for childhood cataract.

PURPOSE: To evaluate a computer program to predict the pseudophakic refraction of a child at any age.

SETTING

A pediatric ophthalmology practice.

METHODS

A computer program was written for Windows 95 that calculates the initial postoperative pseudophakic refraction of a child using Holladay's formula, given the axial length and keratometry readings. The logarithmic model was used to predict the ultimate refraction at age 20 years and chart the predicted curve of refractive error with standard deviations.

RESULTS

The program provided a graph of a child's predicted pseudophakic refraction versus age that would allow the surgeon to dynamically view the effects of changing the intraocular lens (IOL) power.

CONCLUSIONS

If pseudophakia and aphakia have the same effect on the growth of the eye, this program should accurately predict the myopic shift of a pseudophakic child. This could help guide the surgeon's choice of IOL power.