Symptomatic aniseikonia in unilateral and bilateral pseudophakia. A projection space eikonometer study.

PURPOSE

To determine the incidence of aniseikonia and aniseikonic symptoms in pseudophakia (intraocular lens implantation after cataract extraction).

METHOD

Aniseikonia, stereoacuity, and clinical symptoms were evaluated in patients with unilateral and bilateral pseudophakia. Aniseikonia was determined with the Essilor projection space eikonometer. Eight-seven cases were studied, fifty-four of unilateral pseudophakia and thirty-three of bilateral pseudophakia. Nine of the 87 patients had insufficient stereopsis to be examined or measured for aniseikonia with the Essilor instrument, and were studied with the "Double-D", a two dimensional "direct comparison eikonometer" device programmed and viewed on a computer. Stereoacuity was determined with the Titmus Stereo Test.

RESULTS

Thirty-five (40.2%) of all pseudophakes had ophthalmic complaints referable to aniseikonia. The mean aniseikonia in the unilateral pseudophakia group was 4.1%, SD=3.41, while the mean aniseikonia in the bilateral group was 3.2%, SD=2.6.

CONCLUSION

Symptomatic aniseikonia is common in pseudophakia. Unilateral pseudophakia has the higher degrees of aniseikonia, and is at a greater risk of loss of binocularity and of asthenopia.