Comparison of visual outcomes, photopic contrast sensitivity, wavefront analysis, and patient satisfaction following cataract extraction and IOL implantation: aspheric vs spherical acrylic lenses

Abstract

Purpose: To determine vision quality when testing two acrylic intraocular lenses (IOLs), AcrysofIQ and AcrysofSingle-Piece, after routine cataract extraction and IOL implantation.SettingStorm Eye Institute and Magill Research Center for Vision Correction, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA.

Methods: Prospective, randomized, double-masked study that included 53 eyes of 27 patients who underwent bilateral cataract extraction and IOL implantation. Patients were randomly divided into two groups depending on the type of IOL implanted: AcrysofIQ or AcrysofSingle-Piece. Preoperative, 1- and 3-month postoperative evaluations included ETDRS visual acuity, photopic contrast sensitivity, pupil size, wavefront testing, and a subjective questionnaire. Comparisons between the two groups and comparisons to baseline were made at each visit. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results: Preoperative, statistically significant differences were evident in response to the subjective questionnaire (near activities, driving dimensions, and overall score) between the two groups. Postoperatively there was a greater increase in contrast sensitivity at 1 and 3 months in the AcrysofIQ group when compared to baseline. Patients with AcrysofIQ IOL had a significant reduction in total high-order aberrations (HOA) and spherical aberration (SA) when compared to those patients with AcrysofSingle-Piece at 1 and 3 months and to baseline. Postoperative patient satisfaction showed no difference among the groups.

Conclusion: The use of a new aspheric acrylic IOL may improve the quality of vision as a result of the reduction of total HOA and SA.