IOL formula constants - strategies for optimization and defining standards for presenting data.

Purpose To present strategies for optimization of lens power formula constants and to show options how to present the results adequately. Methods A dataset of N=1601 preoperative biometric values, lens power data and postoperative refraction data was split into a training set and a test set using a random sequence. Based on the training set we calculated the formula constants for established lens calculation formulae with different methods. Based on the test set we derived the formula prediction error as difference of the achieved refraction from the formula predicted refraction. Results For formulae with 1 constant it is possible to back-calculate the individual constant for each case using formula inversion. However, this is not possible for formulae with more than 1 constant. In these cases, more advanced concepts such as nonlinear optimization strategies are necessary to derive the formula constants. During cross-validation, measures such as the mean absolute or the root mean squared prediction error or the ratio of cases within mean absolute prediction error limits could be used as quality measures. Conclusions Different constant optimization concepts yield different results. To test the performance of optimized formula constants a cross-validation strategy is mandatory. We recommend performance curves, where the ratio of cases within absolute prediction error limits is plotted against the mean absolute prediction error.