VISUAL FUNCTION WITH MONOFOCAL VERSUS MULTIFOCAL IOLS

Purpose: To assess visual outcome in four groups: one multifocal intra ocular lens (IOL), one monofocal IOL, and two phakic, one older and on e younger. Setting: Department of Ophthalmology, National Health Servi ce, Puerta de Hierro University Clinic, Madrid, Spain. Methods: This p rospective study comprised 70 aphakic eyes, 42 with a multifocal and 2 8 with a monofocal IOL, and 42 phakic eyes, 21 older than 60 years and 21 younger than 60 years. The phakic groups served as a double contro l. Main outcome measures were corrected and uncorrected distance and n ear visual acuities, contrast and glare sensitivity, and clinical and subjective complications.Results: There were no significant difference s between the monofocal and multifocal IOL groups in uncorrected or co rrected distance Visual acuity. Near visual acuity in the multifocal g roup, with and without distance correction, was significantly better t han in the monofocal group. Near vision with addition was similar betw een the two IOL groups. There were no significant differences between the monofocal and multifocal IOL groups in contrast sensitivity at the 96 and 50% thresholds. Between-group differences of less than one Beg an line were found at the 25 and 11% thresholds. The phakic groups had better contrast sensitivity. The older phakic group's results were cl oser to those of the IOL groups. There were no significant complicatio ns. Conclusion: Distance acuity and contrast sensitivity were similar in the monofocal and multifocal IOL groups; however, the multifocal gr oup had significantly better near acuity. The younger phakic group had significantly better contrast sensitivity than the other groups.