Optical biometry is based on the laser interferometry technique for the measurement of the biometric characteristics of the eyes, such as the antero-posterior axial length, anterior chamber depth, lens and retina thickness, corneal diameter and parameters of keratometry. The present article was designed to overview the basic principles of this method, its advantages and disadvantages, indications and contraindications for its application. The comparative analysis of the characteristics of the following optical biometric devices was undertaken: IOL-Master 500, Lenstar LS 900, Aladdin, OA-1000, OA-2000, Al-3000, Al-Scan, Galilei G6, IOL-Master 700.