BIOMETRY

If you and Dr. Proulx agree that cataract surgery is right for you, you will participate in a pre-admission process at St. Joseph’s Health Centre that will involve some eye testing.  This usually takes place in the few weeks before your scheduled surgery.  One of these tests involves the measuring of your eye’s length and focusing strength (i.e. biometry).  This is done to calculate the optimal power of intraocular lens (or IOL) that will be implanted during surgery.  For many years, the standard way of measuring the eye involves the use of an ultrasound device to accurately determine the length of your eye.  A newer and more modern technology is now available, which uses a laser to measure your eye rather than using ultrasound.  This laser device provides more accurate and reproducible readings, which are then used in choosing the power of IOL for your surgery.  This newer high-precision device is known as the IOL Master. 

As of this time, biometry performed by conventional ultrasound is an OHIP-covered benefit and there is no cost to you for this service.  Biometry done with the IOL Master is currently not a covered service, and should you choose this optional service the cost will be billable to you. This test is optional and is not a requirement for surgery, nor will it affect your priority status in terms of wait time for surgery.  Some private insurance plans will cover this cost – if you have private medical insurance you should contact your provider to inquire about coverage for this service.  The cost to you is a combination of a fee charged by the hospital for purchase and maintenance of the IOL Master device & the physician's professional fee to review the results.  It is important to recognize that although IOL Master measurements are more accurate than ultrasound ones, this is only one of the variables involved in your final surgical result, and does not guarantee the desired visual outcome after surgery.  Ultrasound biometry has been used for many years and also provides consistently good results.  Use of the IOL Master is meant to maximize the accuracy of the biometry measurement only.  If you choose to have IOL Master testing performed and for some reason the test result is not adequate, there will be no charge to you.  There are a small percentage of patients whose cataracts are too dense to have the IOL Master testing done.

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The optional fee for IOL Master testing is $135.00 ($75.00 hospital fee & $60.00 surgeon's fee), which includes measurement of both eyes (should you end up requiring surgery for both eyes).  You will be invoiced for the service by the hospital after your surgery, and a receipt will be provided to you for income tax or insurance purposes.  Please do not hesitate to contact our office if you have any questions about IOL Master testing. 

If you choose to have your biometry done with the IOL Master, you must notify Dr. Proulx’s office on or before your scheduled pre-admission visit to ensure that the appropriate consent forms are completed in anticipation of the test.  We also ask that you notify the biometry technician of your choice of ultrasound or IOL Master on the actual day of your pre-admission visit to ensure the chosen method is used for your eye measurements.