Assessing Anterior Segment Parameters: Choosing The Appropriate Device

Accurate measurement of anterior segment parameters is essential for diagnosis, intraocular lens calculation, and surgical planning in ophthalmology. Several optical biometers are available, and differences in measurement techniques may influence their results. This study aimed to evaluate the agreement between two commonly used optical biometers, the Aladdin optical biometer and the IOLMaster 500, in measuring key anterior segment parameters.

Prospective comparative study conducted in an ophthalmology department.

A total of 146 eyes from 73 healthy phakic subjects were prospectively evaluated using two optical biometers: the Aladdin optical biometer, based on optical low-coherence interferometry, and the IOLMaster 500. All measurements were performed by the same examiner under identical lighting conditions. The assessed parameters included anterior chamber depth (ACD), axial length (AL), flat keratometry (K1), and steep keratometry (K2). Statistical analysis was performed using paired Student’s t-tests to evaluate differences between measurements obtained with the two devices. Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated to assess the linear relationship between the measurements.

The measurements obtained with both devices showed a strong correlation for all evaluated parameters. Mean values of anterior chamber depth, axial length, and keratometry readings were comparable between the two biometers. Minor differences were observed, particularly in axial length measurements and, in some reports, in flat keratometry values. However, these differences were small and not clinically significant. Overall, the results demonstrated a high level of agreement between the Aladdin and the IOLMaster 500 in the measurement of anterior segment parameters.

The Aladdin optical biometer and the IOLMaster 500 show strong agreement in the measurement of anterior segment parameters. Despite minor variations, both devices provide reliable and clinically comparable measurements. These findings suggest that the two biometers can be used interchangeably in routine clinical practice for anterior segment assessment and surgical planning.