Comparison of the Visual Performance After Implantation of Bifocal and Trifocal Intraocular Lenses Having an Identical Platform.

PURPOSE: To compare the visual performance after bilateral implantation of a diffractive bifocal or trifocal intraocular lens (IOL) from the same manufacturer using the same IOL platform.

METHODS: This prospective, non-randomized, controlled study involved patients who had cataract surgery with bilateral implantation of bifocal or trifocal IOLs. The near, intermediate, and distance visual acuities, defocus curve, optical quality including modulation transfer functions and higher-order aberrations, National Eye Institute Visual Functioning Questionnaire-14, patient satisfaction, spectacle independence, and perception of visual disturbances were assessed in all patients.

RESULTS: Fifty eyes (25 patients) were implanted with a diffractive trifocal IOL (AT LISA tri 839MP; Carl Zeiss Meditec, Jena, Germany) and 60 eyes (30 patients) with a diffractive bifocal IOL (AT LISA 809M; Carl Zeiss Meditec). The follow-up was 3 months. No statistically significant difference was found in distance or near visual acuity between the two groups (P ≥ .05). Uncorrected, corrected, and distance-corrected intermediate visual acuities were significantly better in the trifocal IOL group (P < .01). In the binocular defocus curve, the visual acuity was also significantly better for defocus of -1.00 to -2.00 diopters in eyes with trifocal IOL implantation (P < .01). Similar halos and glare were present in the two groups. The levels of overall satisfaction were similarly high between groups.

CONCLUSIONS: Diffractive trifocal IOLs can provide significantly better intermediate vision and equivalent distance and near visual performance compared to bifocal IOLs and do not induce extra qualitative vision disturbances. [J Refract Surg. 2018;34(4):273-280.].