To evaluate formulas for intraocular lens (IOL) calculation in silicone oil (SO)–filled eyes.

Retrospective, consecutive case series.

We conducted our study at the Department of Ophthalmology, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany, and included SO-filled eyes that received SO removal combined with phacoemulsification and IOL implantation. Preoperative assessments included biometry (IOLMaster 700; Carl Zeiss Meditec). To evaluate the measurements, we compared the mean prediction error, and mean and median absolute prediction error of 8 different formulas.

A total of 90 eyes matched our inclusion criteria. The median absolute error was lowest in the Barrett Universal II formula (0.43 diopters [D] ± 0.75) followed by Kane (0.44 D ± 0.75), Hill–radial basis function (0.47 D ± 0.74), Holladay II (0.47 D ± 0.77), Sanders Retzlaff Kraff/theoretical (0.51 D ± 0.74), Holladay I (0.51 D ± 0.76), and Haigis and Hoffer Q (0.52 D ± 0.74 each). Regarding eyes within ±0.5 D Barrett Universal II (57.8%, 52 eyes) performed best, again followed by Kane (56.7%, 51 eyes) and Hill–radial basis function (54.4%, 49 eyes).

Using modern formulas for IOL calculation in oil-filled eyes improves predictability but still not as good as in unoperated eyes. This issue is created by the change in refractive index due to the SO fill and therefore a lower precision of axial length measurement and effective lens position prediction.