Patient-reported outcomes of multifocal and accommodating intraocular lenses: analysis of 117 patients 2–10 years after surgery

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the satisfaction levels of patients at least 2 years after cataract surgery implantation with bilateral accommodating or bilateral multifocal intraocular lenses (IOLs) and to determine the relative rate of spectacle independence and adverse symptoms in that same time frame. DESIGN: Patient questionnaire administered in a single-center private practice at least 2 years after cataract surgery with presbyopia-correcting IOL implantation. METHODS: Patients who had undergone uncomplicated cataract surgery with an accommodating or multifocal IOL implant were eligible for inclusion. Patients with visually significant non-IOL-related postoperative morbidity were excluded. Patients with astigmatism or residual refractive error were not excluded. The main outcome measure was patient satisfaction at least 2 years after IOL implantation. RESULTS: Sixty-eight patients who received accommodating lenses and 49 patients who received multifocal lenses completed the questionnaire. The mean age of all patients was 75.7 years at the time of survey; the mean number of years since cataract surgery was 5.4 years. Overall, there were no significant differences between the two groups or within each group between the different lenses used. About 90% of patients in each group were “very satisfied” or “somewhat satisfied” with their vision at least 2 years after the initial surgery. Conversely, only one in eleven patients found his vision to be worse than expected. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of patients who received either accommodating or multifocal IOLs remain satisfied with their lens of choice more than 5 years after the original surgery. Glare and halos remain more noticeable in patients who received multifocal lenses.