The Quest for Spectacle Independence: A Comparison of Multifocal Intraocular Lens Implants and Pseudophakic Monovision for Patients with Presbyopia

We performed a literature review comparing multifocal intraocular lens (IOL) implantation with pseudophakic monovision to treat presbyopia. Multifocal IOLs utilize refractive or diffractive principles to treat both distance and near vision, with a single lens implant. Monovision uses traditional monofocal lens implants to treat the dominant eye for emmotropia, and the non-dominant eye for myopia. This planned anisometropia is designed to enhance intermediate or near vision. Generally, distance vision was similar with both types of lens implantation, near vision was better with multifocal IOLs, and intermediate vision appeared to be better in the monovision group. For patients requiring cataract surgery, both multifocal IOLs and monovision appear to address presbyopia with a high level of patient satisfaction. More patients reported complete spectacle independence with multifocal IOLs, but more glare and halos were reported by multifocal IOL patients as well.