Contrast sensitivity after implantation of toric iris-claw lenses in phakic eyes.

PURPOSE

To evaluate the change in contrast sensitivity after implantation of the Verisyse toric phakic intraocular lens (IOL) (AMO) for the correction of myopia with astigmatism.

SETTING

Department of Ophthalmology, Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany.

METHODS

Eighteen eyes had implantation of an iris-supported toric phakic IOL to correct myopia with astigmatism. The mean preoperative spherical equivalent was -12.65 diopters +/- 3.6 (SD). The contrast sensitivity with best spectacle correction was determined before surgery and 3 months after surgery using the CSV-1000 HGT instrument (Vector Vision Inc.).

RESULTS

Three months after IOL implantation, the mean contrast sensitivity had significantly increased from preoperatively at midrange spatial frequencies from 3.2 to 4.4 (6 cycles per degree [cpd]; P = .033) and from 2.4 to 3.7 (12 cpd; P = .032). The differences at spatial frequencies of 3 cpd and 18 cpd were not statistically significant (P = .59 and P = .086, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Implantation of the Verisyse toric iris-claw lens in phakic eyes to correct high or moderate myopia with astigmatism has the potential to improve contrast vision. The mean contrast sensitivity increased considerably at all spatial frequencies compared with preoperative levels.