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News
When it comes to hitting a precise myopic target after cataract surgery, newer lens power calculation formulas are clearly the better choice. A study in the Journal of Refractive Surgery found that modern formulas like Barrett Universal II, EVO 2.0, and Kane significantly outperformed older ones — especially Holladay 1 — in refractive accuracy. Surgeons are advised to move away from legacy formulas for patients who want to see up close without glasses.
For patients who want to ditch reading glasses after cataract surgery, hitting a precise myopic target is key — and it turns out the formula your surgeon uses matters a lot. A retrospective study out of San Martino Hospital in Genoa, Italy, compared newer and older intraocular lens (IOL) power calculation formulas in 235 eyes targeting intentional myopia between –1.75 D and –3 D. The verdict: newer formulas consistently delivered better refractive accuracy.
The study tested five modern formulas (Barrett Universal II, Cooke K6, EVO 2.0, Hoffer QST, and Kane) against four older ones (Haigis, Hoffer Q, Holladay 1 and 2, and SRK/T). The older Holladay 1 formula came in last across both IOL types tested. The key reason? Older formulas rely only on two variables — keratometry and axial length — to estimate where the lens will sit inside the eye, while newer formulas also factor in anterior chamber depth for a more accurate prediction.
By the Numbers:
Why it matters: For ophthalmologists performing cataract surgery on patients who want functional near vision without glasses, formula choice is a clinically meaningful decision. Switching to modern, ACD-inclusive formulas can meaningfully improve outcomes and patient satisfaction.
