Saving of Time Using a Software-Based versus a Manual Workflow for Toric Intraocular Lens Calculation and Implantation

Background: To determine whether there is a significant saving of time when using a digital cataract workflow for digital data transfer compared to a manual approach of biometry assessment, data export, intraocular lens calculation, and surgery time. Methods: In total, 48 eyes of 24 patients were divided into two groups: 24 eyes were evaluated using a manual approach, whereas another 24 eyes underwent a full digital lens surgery workflow. The primary variables for comparison between both groups were the overall time as well as several time steps starting at optical biometry acquisition until the end of the surgical lens implantation. Other outcomes, such as toric intraocular lens misalignment, reduction of cylinder, surgically induced astigmatism, prediction error, and distance visual acuity were measured. Results: Overall, the total diagnostic and surgical time was reduced from 1364.1 +/- 202.6 s in the manual group to 1125.8 +/- 183.2 s in the digital group (p < 0.001). The complete time of surgery declined from 756.5 +/- 82.3 s to 667.3 +/- 56.3 (p < 0.0005). Compared to the manual approach of biometric data export and intraocular lens calculation (76.7 +/- 12.3 s) as well as the manual export of the reference image to a portable external storage device (26.8 +/- 5.5 s), a highly significant saving of time was achieved (p < 0.0001). Conclusions: Using a software-based digital approach to toric intraocular lens implantation is convenient, more efficient, and thus more economical than a manual workflow in surgery practice.

Automated summary

The study compared the time-saving benefits of using a digital cataract workflow with a manual approach in terms of biometry assessment, data export, intraocular lens calculation, and surgery time. The results showed that the digital approach significantly reduced the overall diagnostic and surgical time and achieved better surgical outcomes.