Comparison of a diffractive bifocal and a monofocal intraocular lens

• Published in: Journal of cataract and refractive surgery Vol. 22; no. 4; pp. 446 - 451
• Main Authors: Allen, E.D., Burton, R.L., Webber, S.K., Haaskjold, E., Sandvig, K., Jyrkkiö, H., Leite, E., Nyström, A., Wollensak, J.
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Elsevier Inc 01.05.1996; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Aged; Biological and medical sciences; Cataract - physiopathology; Cataract Extraction; Contrast Sensitivity - physiology; Eyeglasses; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Lenses, Intraocular; Male; Medical sciences; Patient Satisfaction; Prospective Studies; Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases; Surgery of the eye and orbit; Visual Acuity - physiology; Human; Surgery; Visual acuity; Bifocal lens; Intraocular lens; Near vision; Comparative study
• ISSN: 0886-3350; 1873-4502
• DOI: 10.1016/S0886-3350(96)80040-X

Purpose: To compare a Pharmacia diffractive bifocal intraocular lens (IOL) with a monofocal lens of the same design without the diffractive grating. Setting:. Multicenter study. Methods: This randomized, prospective study comprised 70 patients with a monofocal IOL and 79 with a diffractive bifocal IOL. Follow-up was 5 to 6 months. Near and distance visual acuities, contrast sensitivity, patient satisfaction, and spectacle use were evaluated. Results: All patients achieved a best corrected visual acuity of 0.5 or better; 80% in the monofocal and 71 % in the bifocal group had a best corrected visual acuity of 1.0 or better. Without correction, 93% of the bifocal and 9% of the monofocal group could read J3 or better. With distance correction, 99% and 4%, respectively, could read J3 or better. Contrast sensitivity was slightly lower in the bifocal group at distance and near for all spatial frequencies. In the bifocal group, 46% never used spectacles for near tasks. Overall satisfaction was rated good by 86% of the monofocal and 85% of the bifocal group. Conclusions: The diffractive bifocal IOL performed well at distance and near. Patients who no longer require spectacles will benefit significantly from a bifocal IOL, but many with a bifocal IOL in one eye will require spectacles for the fellow eye.