In 1974, Kenneth J Hoffer, MD performed the first ultrasound axial length IOL power calculation in the Western Hemisphere using the Colenbrander formula. He soon wrote the original Hoffer formula and programmed it on a Hewlett-Packard programmable calculator in the original EyeLab set up at Santa Monica Hospital. The EyeLab Inc. was founded in 1978 Dr. Hoffer by to provide ultrasound axial length measurements and IOL power calculations for ophthalmologists throughout Southern California via four EyeLab offices and one mobile unit. He then learned to program the Casio calculators for use in the various offices. The EyeLab, through its President, was the first to negotiate with the Federal Government for approving Medicare payments for IOL calculation by ultrasound. He also helped them set the initial first Medicare reimbursement in 1978.
In 1983, the EyeLab provided the first YAG laser to all ophthalmologists in Southern California to access in those offices. When US units became universally affordable and available for most ophthalmic offices, the EyeLab offices were ultimately closed. In 1989, after programming the original Hoffer formula on a Casio programmable calculator and later adding the Holladay and the SRK/T formulas, the calculator became something ophthalmologists wanted to purchase. Dr. Hoffer then decided to reactivate the EyeLab to provide these units to his colleagues.
After years of requesting this program on a computer, the EyeLab created the first such program for IOL calculation in 1993. Several years later a MAC version became available. Years of requests by users led to the introduction of the full Database version of the program in 1998.
The EyeLab® over the years has donated some of its proceeds to the MDEyePAC of the California Academy of Ophthalmology (CAO) in its defense of ophthalmology in the State legislature. This state ophthalmology PAC was started by Dr. Hoffer when he was President of the CAO in 1983.
The EyeLab has been the sole responsibility of Kenneth J Hoffer, MD and he has been in charge of quality assurance and the innovative improvements in the Hoffer Programs product. He has been aided by excellent computer programmers. Shane Dunne, PhD of Toronto, Canada is presently in charge of the latest update of the software,
Over the many years Lisa and Vince Adams have represented the EyeLab in its exhibit booths at the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) and the American Society of Cataract & Refractive Surgery (ASCRS.) The costs to exhibit and maintain staff in the booth have become prohibitive, so we have not exhibited at these meetings for the past several years.