Updated practical intraocular lens power calculation after refractive surgery

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Since its introduction in the 1980s, more than 40 million people worldwide have undergone some form of kerato-refractive surgery. Many of these individuals are now candidates for cataract surgery and pose the challenge of attaining first-rate refractive outcomes in nonvirgin eyes. Numerous approaches have been developed to estimate intraocular lens (IOL) power in eyes postrefractive surgery. This review highlights the most practical, relevant options for accurate IOL power determination in these cases. RECENT FINDINGS: With refined techniques and advances in instrumentation, more accurate assessments of true corneal power and thus, IOL power, are possible in postrefractive eyes. Optical coherence tomography and other corneal tomography instruments have markedly improved accuracy in this process. However, when expensive, modern equipments are not readily available, and online IOL calculators such as the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) calculator have become efficient, reliable options. Recent evidence confirms the accuracy of these online calculators. SUMMARY: Emerging literature supports the use of methods that do not rely on prior refractive data in IOL power determination. Online IOL calculators provide user-friendly, efficient options that greatly facilitate accurate IOL power determination for cataract surgery in eyes that have undergone prior kerato-refractive surgery.