Stereoacuity and aniseikonia after unilateral and bilateral implantation of the Array refractive multifocal intraocular lens

Purpose: To evaluate stereoacuity and aniseikonia in eyes with unilateral a nd bilateral implantation of the Allergan Array(R) refractive multifocal in traocular lens (MIOL). Setting: Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital, Kiel, Germany. Methods: This study comprised 31 patients with a unilateral MIOL and a phak ic fellow eye and 29 patients with bilateral MIOLs. in all pseudophakic eye s, an Array MIOL had been implanted between 1991 and 1994 during a prospect ive clinical trial. In the present study, patients were re-examined. Near a nd distance visual acuity were i tested; binocular functions were assessed using Bagolini lenses, the Worth 4-dot test, the Lang random-dot test, and the Titmus fly chart. Aniseikonia was evaluated using Aulhorn's phase-diffe rence haploscope. Mean follow-up was 43 months in both groups. Results: After unilateral implantation 87.1% of patients and after bilatera l implantation 93.1% of patients correctly perceived the stereograms of the Lang random-dot test. The mean subjective height of the measured Titmus fl y was 4.2 cm after unilateral and 4.3 cm after bilateral implantation. The stereoacuity tests revealed no statistically significant differences betwee n the groups. Distance and near aniseikonia were significantly less after b ilateral than after unilateral implantation. Conclusion: Despite the simultaneous formation of multiple retinal images, the Array MIOL allowed good binocular vision including random-dot stereopsi s. Functional aniseikonia developed but did not interfere with normal binoc ular vision. (C) 1999 ASCRS and ESCRS.