Comparison of pseudoaccommodation and visual quality between a diffractive and refractive multifocal intraocular lens

Abstract

Purpose: To determine depth of focus and visual quality after implantation of a diffractive intraocular lens (IOL) and a refractive IOL. Setting: University Eye Clinic, Vienna, Austria. Method: This study comprised 10 eyes of 9 patients with a diffractive IOL (3M 825x +4) and 13 eyes of 9 patients with a refractive lens (AMO Array SSM 26NB). Depth of focus was evaluated in a defocused range of −6.0 to +3.0 diopters (D), and Snellen visual acuity was recorded. Results: Distance acuity peaked at 1.0 ± 0.2 (3M group) and 0.91 ± 0.13 (AMO group). The near acuity peaks were at 0.82 ± 0.15 and 0.55 ± 0.14, respectively. Visual acuity of 0.5 was possible in a range of defocus of +1.0 to −4.0 D (3M) and +1.0 to −3.5 D (AMO). Conclusion: Pseudoaccommodation and full distance visual acuity were realized with both types of multifocal lenses. For intermediate distances, visual acuity may be limited to activities that do not require optimal vision. At near distances, the 3M lens provided statistically significantly better visual acuity.