Visual outcome and patient satisfaction after multifocal intraocular lens implantation: aspheric versus spherical design

PURPOSE: To evaluate visual outcomes and patient satisfaction after implantation of an aspheric apodized diffractive intraocular lens (IOL) or a spherical apodized diffractive IOL in cataract surgery. SETTING: Maastricht University Medical Center, The Netherlands. DESIGN: Nonrandomized clinical trial. METHODS: This prospective nonrandomized study with a 6-month follow-up compared the results of cataract surgery with implantation of an aspheric AcrySof ReSTOR SN6AD3 IOL and a spherical AcrySof ReSTOR SN60D3 IOL. Main outcome measures were uncorrected (UDVA) and corrected (CDVA) distance visual acuities, uncorrected (UNVA) and distance-corrected (DCNVA) near visual acuities, straylight levels, incidence of glare and halos, and contrast sensitivity levels. RESULTS: The mean UDVA was 0.14 +/- 0.15 logMAR in the aspheric group (47 eyes) and 0.14 logMAR +/- 0.17 (SD) in the spherical group (45 eyes) and the mean CDVA, -0.01 +/- 0.06 logMAR and 0.02 +/- 0.10 logMAR, respectively. The mean UNVA was Jaeger (J) 1 in 83.0% of patients in the aspheric group and 55.5% of patients in the spherical IOL group (P = .003). The DCNVA was J1 in 95.7% and 71.1%, respectively (P = .001). There were no significant differences between the 2 groups in contrast sensitivity levels, intraocular straylight levels, incidence of night-vision symptoms, or subjective rating of vision. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with the aspheric multifocal IOL had significantly better near vision than patients with the multifocal spherical IOL. The UDVA, CDVA, intraocular straylight, night-vision symptoms, and contrast sensitivity were similar between the 2 groups.