Intraocular lens power calculation for emmetropia: a clinical study.

A series of 50 eyes received an intraocular lens (IOL) of power calculated for emmetropia from data of axial length, corneal curvature, and postoperative anterior chamber depth by R. D. Binkhorst's formulae. The postoperative refraction results were compared with those of 100 control eyes which received +19 D standard power IOLs without calculation. The calculated group had postoperative refractions which were closer to emmetropia, and the difference was os statistical significance, with 92% within the +/- 1D range and 98% within the +/- 2 D range from emmetropia. The calculated predictions of postoperative refraction were of a useful level of accuracy. Consideration of the sources of error indicates that there is no justification for the use of IOLs in power steps of less than 1 D. The calculation of IOL power allows the surgeon to control the postoperative refraction and avoid unwanted ametropia.