Quantitative in vivo assessment of intraocular lens calcification: correlation between OCT opacity and straylight measurement.

PURPOSE: To quantitatively assess intraocular lens (IOL) calcification using anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) and correlate findings with straylight measurements in patients with homogenous IOL calcification.

SETTING

Department of Ophthalmology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany.

DESIGN

Prospective, observational clinical study.

METHODS

Healthy patients with homogenous IOL calcification underwent AS-OCT imaging with the ANTERION, with IOL opacity being automatically quantified using a custom image-analysis script. Straylight was assessed using the C-Quant straylight meter. Correlation between IOL opacity and straylight was analyzed using Spearman ρ coefficient.

RESULTS

35 eyes of 35 patients (mean age 72.9 ± 7.8 years) were included. Mean IOL opacity was 69.15 ± 13.55 pixel intensity units (PIUs), and mean straylight was 2.24 ± 0.38 log(s). A statistically significant correlation was found between IOL opacity and straylight with ρ = 0.494, P = .003. After the linear regression model was established: straylight = 0.0569 × OCT opacity [log(s)] - 1.69 with R2 = 0.244. Of the 35 eyes, 17 underwent IOL exchange surgery, with a mean IOL opacity of 75.69 ± 7.58 PIU and a mean straylight of 2.33 ± 0.30 log(s).

CONCLUSIONS

AS-OCT can quantitatively assess IOL calcification in vivo, with results correlating significantly with straylight measurements. This technique may serve as a valuable diagnostic tool for evaluating IOL opacification and assist in surgical decision-making, particularly in borderline cases.