Patients' dissatisfaction with multifocal intraocular lenses managed by exchange with other multifocal lenses of different optical profiles.

Background: The aim of the study was to evaluate the outcomes of dissatisfied patients reporting poor visual quality following implantation of multifocal intraocular lenses (MF-IOLs), managed by IOL exchange with another multifocal optical profile.

Methods: This is a retrospective series of cases. MF-IOL exchange was done in 15 dissatisfied patients (30 eyes) with the perception of poor visual quality for far distance affected by neuroadaptation failure. Patients underwent a bilateral exchange of a MF-IOL with another MF-IOL of a different optical profile. Visual outcomes and complications were analyzed. Questionnaires including Quality of Vision (QoV), Visual Function Index-14 (VF-14) and its Rasch-revised version (VF-8R) and a satisfaction questionnaire were also used for outcome evaluation.

Results: The mean elapsed time from implantation to explantation-reimplantation was 11.8 months. The QoV scores improved significantly across all the three subscales. Visual function improved with a change in VF-14 score from 60.41 ± 24.81 to 90.16 ± 10.91 (P < 0.001). The VF-8R score improved as well. The uncorrected distance visual acuity improved from 0.24 to 0.12 logMAR after exchange (P < 0.001) and corrected distance visual acuity improved from 0.15 to 0.04 logMAR (P < 0.001). Safety and efficacy indexes reached 1.46 and 1.16, respectively. Concerning patients' satisfaction following MF-IOL exchange, 80% of the patients reported they would have the MF-IOL reimplantation procedure again.

Conclusions: Patient dissatisfaction with neuroadaptation failure following MF-IOL implantation can be managed in 80% of our cases by MF-IOL exchange with a different MF-IOL optical profile.