Comparison of Optical Aberrations and Contrast Sensitivity between Monofocal and Multifocal Intraocular Lens

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the postoperative contrast sensitivity and optical aberration between monofocal and multifocal IOL implanted patients. METHODS: Postoperative contrast sensitivity and optical aberration were measured for 7 cataract patients, 12 eyes that underwent monofocal IOL implantation and for 8 cataract patients, 9 eyes that underwent multifocal IOL implantation. Phacoemulsification was conducted on all patients prior to either multifocal or monofocal IOL implantation, and Multivison Contrast Tester (MCT 8000, Vistech, Dayton, U.S.A.) and WaveScan WavefrontT M system (VISX, Santa Clara, U.S.A.) were used to measure contrast sensitivity and optical aberration. RESULTS: Under the nighttime contrast sensitivity mode, the multifocal-group displayed a statistically significant decrease in contrast sensitivity compared to the monofocal-group (P< 0.01), while there was no statistical difference in the optical aberration index of the two groups. (the multi-group; 0.36, the monogroup; 0.31, p=0.64) CONCLUSIONS: After cataract extraction, there was no difference in the optical aberration between the multifocal IOL implantated patients and the monofocal IOL implanted patients. The decrease in postoperative contrast sensitivity was subjectively greater for multifocal IOL implantated patients than the monofocal IOL implanted patients.