Factors associated with good near vision after cataract surgery with monofocal intraocular lens implantation at a tertiary eye hospital in southern India

PURPOSE: Although multifocal intraocular lenses (IOLs) are effective methods of dealing with surgical presbyopia, there are associated limitations (cost, technique, and patient-reported symptoms). Given their scalability challenge (due to economic factors), it is imperative to explore alternative low-cost and sustainable solutions to achieve good near vision postcataract surgery. This study aimed to determine the proportion of and the factors associated with good near vision in patients following cataract surgery with monofocal IOL implantation. METHODS: We conducted a hospital-based cross-sectional study at a tertiary eye hospital in southern India from September 2019 to January 2020. Inclusion criteria: Uncomplicated postcataract surgery cases with monofocal IOL at least 30 days ago. Exclusion criteria: patients with any ocular condition (other than refractive errors) that could decrease the vision with best-corrected distance visual acuity < 0.18 Logarithm of the Minimum Angle of Resolution (LogMAR) units. Data collection: we assessed near vision (at 40 cm distance by using near vision card with Early Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy Study format), distance visual acuity (uncorrected and best-corrected), refractive error (amount and type), type of astigmatism, pupil size, axial length, and contrast sensitivity. We considered a near vision of 0.2 LogMAR units or better as good near vision. RESULTS: Of the 82 patients (82 eyes), 71 (86.59%) had good near vision. Multiple logistic regression analysis found found that the presence of myopia or myopic astigmatism was significantly associated with good near vision (adjusted odds ratio: 72.63; 95% confidence interval: 1.02–5193.5, p = 0.049). CONCLUSION: About eight of every ten participants had good near vision postcataract surgery with monofocal IOL implantation. Myopia/myopic astigmatism was associated with good near vision.