Binocular visual function with a diffractive multifocal intraocular lens in patients with unilateral cataract

Purpose To compare binocular visual function in patients with unilateral cataract after monocular implantation of a multifocal intraocular lens (IOL) and after monocular implantation of a monofocal IOL. Setting Hayashi Eye Hospital, Fukuoka, Japan. Design Nonrandomized comparative study. Methods Patients with unilateral cataract scheduled for implantation of a diffractive multifocal IOL and age-matched patients scheduled for implantation of a monofocal IOL were recruited. Three months postoperatively, binocular visual acuity from far to near distances, binocular photopic or mesopic high- to low-contrast visual acuity with and without glare, and stereoacuity were examined. Results The mean binocular uncorrected near visual acuity or corrected near visual acuity at 0.3 m and uncorrected or corrected intermediate visual acuity at 0.5 m were significantly better in the multifocal group than in the monofocal group (P≤.0196), although there was no significant difference in uncorrected or corrected visual acuity at other distances. Binocular photopic contrast visual acuity and glare visual acuity at low contrasts and mesopic glare visual acuity were significantly worse in the multifocal group than in the monofocal group (P≤.0147). Near stereoacuity was similar between groups. Spectacle independence was significantly better in the multifocal group than in the monofocal group (P≤.0006). Conclusion Monocular implantation of a diffractive multifocal IOL in patients with unilateral cataract provided better binocular near and intermediate visual acuity and spectacle independence than monocular implantation of a monofocal IOL, although distance contrast sensitivity was worse with the multifocal IOL. Financial Disclosure No author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.