DEPTH OF FOCUS AND FUNCTIONAL RESULTS IN PATIENTS WITH MULTIFOCAL INTRAOCULAR LENSES - A LONG-TERM FOLLOW-UP

We did a follow-up study of 35 patients who had phacoemulsification wi th implantation of diffractive, multifocal intraocular lenses (IOLs) 2 .5 years ago. The patients had an average age of 58.2 +/- 9.6 years. F ifty multifocal lOLs were implanted (3M 815LE, n = 45; 3M 825X, n = 5) . Refractive values, visual acuity, depth of focus, and the dependence on corrective glasses were evaluated. Eighty percent of the spherical equivalents ranged from -1 to +1 D (mean 0.25 +/- 0.71). In 76% the c ylindric power was not higher than 1 D (mean 0.87 +/- 0.64). With dist ance correction, 100% of the patients achieved a visual acuity of 20/4 0 or better. Without correction, 86% achieved 20/40 or better. Near ac uity of 20/40 or better with only distance correction was achieved in 98% of patients. Ninety-four percent had a near acuity of 20/40 or bet ter without any correction. The depth of focus was significantly bette r, in the multifocal group than in a control group of patients with mo nofocal lOLs (P<.01). Although 90% of the patients had good uncorrecte d visual acuity results of 20/40 or better for near and distance, 58% preferred glasses for distance and/or near.