Multifocal versus monofocal intraocular lenses after cataract extraction

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Good unaided distance visual acuity is now a realistic expectation following cataract surgery and intraocular lens (IOL) implantation. Near vision, however, still requires additional refractive power, usually in the form of reading glasses. Multiple optic (multifocal) IOLs are available which claim to allow good vision at a range of distances. It is unclear whether this benefit outweighs the optical compromises inherent in multifocal IOLs.

OBJECTIVES:

The objective of this review was to assess the effects of multifocal IOLs, including effects on visual acuity, subjective visual satisfaction, spectacle dependence, glare and contrast sensitivity, compared to standard monofocal lenses in people undergoing cataract surgery.

METHODS:

Search methods: We searched CENTRAL (which contains the Cochrane Eyes and Vision Group Trials Register), The Cochrane Library 2012, Issue 2, MEDLINE (January 1946 to March 2012), EMBASE (January 1980 to March 2012), the metaRegister of Controlled Trials (mRCT) (www.controlled-trials.com), ClinicalTrials.gov (www.clinicaltrials.gov) and the WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP) (www.who.int/ictrp/search/en). We did not use any date or language restrictions in the electronic searches for trials. The electronic databases were last searched on 6 March 2012. We searched the reference lists of relevant articles and contacted investigators of included studies and manufacturers of multifocal IOLs for information about additional published and unpublished studies.

Selection criteria: All randomised controlled trials comparing a multifocal IOL of any type with a monofocal IOL as control were included. Both unilateral and bilateral implantation trials were included.

Data collection and analysis: Two authors collected data and assessed trial quality. Where possible, we pooled data from the individual studies using a random-effects model, otherwise we tabulated data.

MAIN RESULTS:

Sixteen completed trials (1608 participants) and two ongoing trials were identified. All included trials compared multifocal and monofocal lenses but there was considerable variety in the make and model of lenses implanted. Overall we considered the trials at risk of performance and detection bias because it was difficult to mask patients and outcome assessors. It was also difficult to assess the role of reporting bias. There was moderate quality evidence that similar distance acuity is achieved with both types of lenses (pooled risk ratio, RR for unaided visual acuity worse than 6/6: 0.98, 95% con-fidence interval, CI 0.91 to 1.05). There was also evidence that people with multifocal lenses had better near vision but methodological and statistical heterogeneity meant that we did not calculate a pooled estimate for effect on near vision. Total freedom from use of glasses was achieved more frequently with multifocal than monofocal IOLs. Adverse subjective visual phenomena, particularly haloes, or rings around lights, were more prevalent and more troublesome in participants with the multifocal IOL and there was evidence of reduced contrast sensitivity with the multifocal lenses.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Multifocal IOLs are effective at improving near vision relative to monofocal IOLs. Whether that improvement outweighs the adverse effects of multifocal IOLs will vary between patients. Motivation to achieve spectacle independence is likely to be the deciding factor.

This is the abstract of a Cochrane Review published in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (CDSR) 2012, issue 9. Art. No.: CD003169. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD003169.pub3 (http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD003169.pub3/pdf/abstract). For full citation and authors' details see reference ¹.

COMMENTS

This article is important because it compares the options of intraocular monofocal and multifocal lenses for cataract surgeries. The use of multifocal lenses has been an important advance for ophthalmological science. They improve the visual quality of many patients after cataract surgery. These multifocal lenses have the aim of resolving problems of low visual ability at both long and short distances. Intraocular monofocal lenses only resolve low visual ability at long distances. The results presented in the article are in accordance with the findings in our clinic. Multifocal intraocular lenses are an excellent option for decreasing the need for glasses after surgery, but patients complain about some functional disorders such as haloes or rings around lights, glare and photopsia.

One important issue in assessing the success of the surgery relates to selection of patients who are in good condition to receive intraocular implantation of multifocal lenses. Intraocular lenses that can give clear vision at all distances with few adverse effects are still being developed. Patients should be informed about the possible limitations and unwanted effects, such as the presence of haloes around lights, photopsia and difficulties regarding intermediate vision. Even though the majority of these unwanted symptoms generally disappear, the success of this procedure depends on the patient's understanding of these possible problems and on his or her expectations.

• Noé Luiz Mendes de Marchi. Ophthalmologist specializing in cataract surgery and diseases of the anterior segment, Universidade Estadual Paulista de Botucatu, São Paulo, and Member of the Department of Ophthalmology of Associação Paulista de Medicina.

REFERENCE

• ¹
  Calladine D, Evans JR, Shah S, Leyland M. Multifocal versus monofocal intraocular lenses after cataract extraction. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2012; 9:CD003169.

Publication Dates

• Publication in this collection
  Feb 2015