Clinical Outcomes after Implantation of a Novel Binocular Complementary Extended Depth-of-Focus Intraocular Lens Compared to Bilateral Low Near-Add Multifocal Intraocular Lenses.

Introduction: Nowadays, patients expect to be less spectacle dependent at all distances after cataract surgery. However, all intraocular lens (IOL) models that currently offer this function can also have negative visual effects. Aim of this study was therefore to compare the visual function performance of a novel and a conventional IOL solution for multifocality.

Methods: Patients scheduled for bilateral cataract surgery were randomized to receive one of two different IOL combinations: either a binocular complementary extended depth-of-focus IOL set or a low near-add MIOL. Patients had visual acuity (VA) assessment at distance, intermediate, and near as well as evaluation of contrast sensitivity, halometry, and reading performance.

Results: In total, 56 eyes of 28 patients were enrolled. At 6 months, there were no statistically significant differences in binocular VA between the ARTIS SYMBIOSE and the AT LARA. Contrast sensitivity, measured binocularly, at 1.5 cycles per degree under photopic conditions without glare was 1.54 logCS with the ARTIS SYMBIOSE and 1.43 logCS with the AT LARA (p = 0.046), under mesopic conditions with glare at 1.5 and 3 cycles per degree 1.31 logCS and 1.28 logCS with the ARTIS SYMBIOSE, respectively, compared to 0.58 logCS and 0.51 logCS with the AT LARA (p = 0.002; p = 0.006). Binocular halos and reading performance between both groups were similar.

Conclusion: There were no significant differences between both groups in VA at different distances, reading ability, or halometry. The contrast sensitivity at low spatial frequencies was better in the ARTIS SYMBIOSE group under photopic conditions without glare as well as mesopic conditions with glare, which could potentially improve quality of vision with these IOLs, especially under mesopic conditions.