Visual quality and performance following bilateral implantation of TECNIS Symfony intraocular lenses with or without micro-monovision

Purpose: To evaluate the visual quality and performance of TECNIS Symfony intraocular lenses (IOLs) implanted with or without micro-monovision approach. Setting: Chongqing Aier Mega Eye Hospital, Chongqing, China; Daping Hospital of Army Medical University, Chongqing, China. Design: Prospective study. Methods: The study comprised 70 cataract patients who had bilateral implantation of TECNIS Symfony extended range of vision IOLs, either with intended micro-monovision (monovision group: 35 patients) or with intended emmetropia (control group: 35 patients). Visual acuity, modulation transfer function (MTF), defocus curve, spectacle independence, and photic phenomena were analyzed 3 months postoperatively. Results: There was no significant difference between the two groups in binocular uncorrected visual acuity at distance. Mean binocular uncorrected visual acuity at intermediate (monovision: 0.81 dec; control: 0.58 dec) and near (monovision: 0.59 dec; control: 0.30 dec) were significantly better in the monovision group. In the monovision group, the difference of MTF values between the dominant and the non-dominant eyes was not statistically significant and MTF values were within the normal range for both eyes. Spectacle independence at intermediate and near was statistically significantly higher in the monovision group compared to the control group. The incidence of photic phenomena was similar in both groups. Conclusion: Micro-monovision implantation of TECNIS Symfony IOLs provided a superior range of visual acuity from far to near and higher spectacle independence compared to a control group targeted for emmetropia.