Preferred postoperative refraction after cataract surgery for high myopia

Eighty-four patients (121 eyes) with high myopia who had cataract surgery and intraocular lens implantation completed a survey on preferred postoperative refraction. Forty-two percent of the sample reported that they were accustomed to removing their glasses to read a newspaper or book. These respondents were fitted with soft contact lenses and their refraction changed to 0 D, -3.00 D, and -5.00 D. Of the patients whose best corrected postoperative visual acuity was 20/40 or better (n = 63), 48% preferred the -3.00 D correction; 38%, the 0 D correction; and 14%, -5.00 D. Of those with a best corrected postoperative visual acuity worse than 20/200 (n = 8), 80% preferred the -5.00 D refraction, which allowed them to read close up. Most patients with phakic eyes and good visual acuity (n = 13) preferred the 0 D and -3.00 D corrections. Our results indicate that in patients with high myopia, it is important to take patient preference into account when selecting postoperative refraction.