What does this research mean for the field?

The AL550 automated biometer provides highly repeatable and reproducible ocular biometric measurements and demonstrates excellent agreement with the IOLMaster 700, allowing for interchangeable clinical use for most parameters except corneal diameter. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.METHODOLOGICAL. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

To evaluate the precision and inter-device agreement of the AL550 biometer compared to the IOLMaster 700.

June 3, 2026Eye and Vision0 citationsOpen Access

Clinical evaluation of a new fully automated biometer integrating optical low-coherence reflectometry and Placido-disk topography

YCYihong Chen XYXinning Yang ZLZheng Li

Key Points

To evaluate the precision and inter-device agreement of the AL550 biometer compared to the IOLMaster 700.
112 healthy participants underwent three eye measurements via the AL550 by two operators.
A skilled operator used the IOLMaster 700 for inter-device comparison across several parameters.
Analysis included within-subject standard deviation, test-retest repeatability, and intraclass correlation coefficients.
AL550 showed excellent repeatability and reproducibility with ICCs exceeding 0.939.
Inter-device agreement was excellent for most measurements, except for corneal diameter (CD), which had a broader limits of agreement.
95% limits of agreement for parameters like axial length were narrow, indicating strong consistency between the devices.

Abstract

Abstract Background To investigate the precision (intraobserver repeatability and interobserver reproducibility) of the AL550, an automated biometer that integrates optical low-coherence reflectometry with Placido-disk topography, and to assess the inter-device agreement with the IOLMaster 700. Methods This prospective study enrolled 112 healthy participants. Each participant underwent three consecutive right-eye measurements by two operators with different levels of experience using the AL550 to assess intraobserver and interobserver variability. Additionally, three measurements were obtained by a skilled operator using the IOLMaster 700 for inter-device comparison. The parameters assessed included axial length (AL), central corneal thickness (CCT), anterior chamber depth (ACD), lens thickness (LT), flattest, steepest, and mean keratometry (Kf, Ks, and Km), astigmatism, and corneal diameter (CD). Measurement precision was analyzed using the within-subject standard deviation (Sw), test–retest repeatability (TRT), coefficient of variation (CoV), and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Inter-device agreement was assessed using paired t -tests and Bland–Altman analysis. Results The AL550 demonstrated excellent repeatability and reproducibility across all parameters, with low Sw, TRT, and CoV values, and ICCs exceeding 0.939. Inter-device agreement with the IOLMaster 700 was excellent for most parameters, with narrow 95% limits of agreement (LoA) (AL: − 0.09 to 0.08 mm, CCT: − 16.55 to 5.46 μm, ACD: − 0.04 to 0.18 mm, LT: − 0.27 to 0.07 mm, Km: − 0.26 to 0.26 D). However, CD exhibited a wider 95% LoA (− 0.82 to − 0.15 mm). Conclusion The AL550 provides highly repeatable and reproducible biometric measurements with minimal operator dependence. Inter-device agreement with the IOLMaster 700 was excellent for all parameters except CD, suggesting that the two devices may be used interchangeably in clinical practice.

Ask AI

Helpful

Bookmark

View Full Paper