Double-pass system analysis of the visual outcomes and optical performance of an apodized diffractive multifocal intraocular lens.

Purpose: To evaluate the postoperative ocular optical quality using a double-pass method and assess visual outcomes in eyes with an apodized multifocal intraocular lens (IOL) and to correlate the findings with IOL power.

Setting: Vissum Corporation, Alicante, Spain.

Design: Case series.

Methods: This study evaluated eyes that had cataract surgery with implantation of an AcrySof ReSTOR SN6AD3 multifocal IOL. Near and far visual acuities were measured postoperatively at 1 month and 6 months. Ocular optical quality was assessed at 1 month using a double-pass system (Optical Quality Analysis System), and the point-spread function (PSF) and modulation transfer function (MTF) were characterized.

Results: The study included 38 eyes of 19 patients with a mean age of 63.4 years ± 8.4 (SD). The improvements in uncorrected distance visual acuity (from 0.57 ± 0.31 logMAR preoperatively to 0.11 ± 0.13 logMAR 1 month postoperatively and 0.11 ± 0.12 logMAR at 6 months) were statistically significant (P<.00001), as were the improvements in uncorrected near visual acuity (0.76 ± 0.40 logMAR preoperatively to 0.21 ± 0.11 logMAR and 0.12 ± 0.09 logMAR, respectively) (P<.00001). The IOL power correlated significantly with PSF width (r = 0.57, P = .017) and the MTF cutoff frequency (r = -0.36, P = .05). Furthermore, the lower the IOL power, the better the near and distance visual acuities, especially 1 month postoperatively.

Conclusion: The apodized multifocal IOL restored distance and near visual function, although IOL power was a limiting factor to the final visual outcomes and optical quality.