Multifocal intraocular lenses (IOLs) provide comparable distance and intermediate visual acuity to that provided by conventional monofocal IOLs and provide the additional benefit of significantly better near vision without reading glasses, according to a new study published in Japanese Journal of Ophthalmology.
The researchers compared visual outcomes for 81 patients who underwent bilateral cataract surgery: 34 patients received non-tinted multifocal IOLs (Alcon ReSTOR), 30 patients received yellow-tinted multifocal IOLs (Alcon ReSTOR Natural) and 17 patients received conventional non-tinted monofocal IOLs.
Results of the study included:
- All three types of IOLs provided comparable uncorrected visual acuity for distant and intermediate (arm’s length) viewing.
- There was no significant difference in the distance visual acuity results for the yellow and non-tinted multifocal IOLs.
- Both multifocal IOLs provided significantly better uncorrected visual acuity for near viewing, compared to the monofocal IOL.
The study also found that pupil diameter influenced the near visual acuity results of eyes receiving the ReSTOR multifocal IOLs. Patients with larger pupils had better near vision with the multifocal lenses than patients with small pupils.
Source: All-distance visual acuity in eyes with a nontinted or a yellow-tinted diffractive multifocal intraocular lens. Japanese Journal of Ophthalmology. March 2009.
Tags: intraocular lenses, IOLs, multifocal, multifocal IOLs