Swept-Source Technology Vs Ultrasound Biometry, A Comparison Of Two Technologies For Iol Calculation

To evaluate and compare in a comprehensive and detailed manner the results of the values ​​necessary for the calculation of the intraocular lens carried out by the Swept-source technology of the ARGOS device in patients prior to cataract surgery, focusing on correlate it with the values ​​obtained by ultrasound biometry performed on the same patients. The objective is to determine the effectiveness, predictability and safety of this technology when performing intraocular lens calculations in patients with cataract.

Ophthalmology Institute "Conde de Valenciana", Mexico. Anterior Segment department of Ophthalmology Institute "Conde de Valenciana"

The study design is a retrospective experimental cross-sectional analytical study in a series of consecutive cases subjected to calculations for axial length, anterior chamber depth and lens thickness of the eye. Patients who needed cataract surgery and accepted the use of the two technologies were recruited. We compared and correlated the three values given by the devices between them, type 2 diabetes mellitus comorbidity, and with LOCS III classification using subclassifications “Major” and “Minor” regarding the severity of the cataract using the Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC).

The study involved 36 eyes, with 66.7% of patients being women, averaging 63.39 ± 10.53 years. Optical (Argos) and ultrasound biometry were performed, with a high correlation (ICC 0.991, P <0.001) for "Axial length" (AL) and a moderate correlation (ICC 0.712, P <0.001) for "Anterior chamber depth" (ACD).  Subgroup analysis based on LOCS III Classification revealed strong agreement in the Nuclear Opacity group for AL in the "Major" subgroup (ICC 0.972, P=0.001). In the Nuclear Color group, AL showed agreement in the “Major” subgroup (ICC 0.967, P < 0.001). For the Cortical group, AL correlations were 0.994 (P <0.001) "Major" subgroup. In the Posterior Subcapsular group, correlations for AL were 0.988 (P <0.001) for "Major" subgroup.

This study indicates that both technologies can be used seamlessly for IOL measurement. However, the AL parameter is most affected by cataract opacity, a limitation of current technologies. While ultrasound biometry traditionally provided AL values regardless of cataract severity, this study shows that ARGOS can be a reliable alternative, producing comparable results, it is user-friendly, operator-independent, and yields highly similar results to ultrasound biometry, emerging as an excellent substitute. It is particularly useful in environments lacking trained personnel or for its simplicity in calculating intraocular lenses before cataract surgery, regardless of cataract severity.